The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #66591

Stephanie L Sanford-Colby, MPH¹, S. Michelle McKenzie, MPH², Grace E Macalino, PhD³, Susan F McNamara, MSCJ¹, and Josiah D. Rich, MD, MPH⁴. (1) Brown University, 169 Angell St., Box GS-2, Providence, RI 02912, 401-863-9824, Stephanie_Sanford@Brown.edu, (2) Division of Immunology, The Miriam Hospital, 164 Summit Avenue, CFAR Building, Providence, RI 02906, (3) Brown University/The Miriam Hospital, 169 Angell St., Box GS-2, Providence, RI 02912, (4) Department of Immunology, The Miriam Hospital /Brown University, 164 Summit Avenue, Providence, RI 02906

Background/Methods: We enrolled 327 active Injection Drug Users (IDUs) in a program that provided a free primary care clinic, referrals to drug and mental health treatment, and physician prescriptions for free syringes. Program staff offered a prescription for syringes to participants every time the participant came to the clinic. Participants could take prescriptions to either of two local pharmacies and receive syringes paid for by the study.

Data on the number of syringes purchased by each participant were obtained from statements provided by the pharmacies' corporate office. Baseline demographics characteristics were taken from a questionnaire administered at enrollment.

Results: Eight hundred forty-nine prescriptions for syringes were filled at the two pharmacies, distributing 67,570 syringes. Of 327 participants, 229 (70%) filled a prescription for syringes at least once. There was no difference by gender, race, or homelessness at enrollment in the number of prescriptions filled (p > .05). However, there was a difference between those who were currently homeless at enrollment (54%) and those who were not currently homeless at enrollment in the number of prescriptions filled (p< .05). Those who were currently homeless filled less prescriptions than those who were not currently homeless.

Conclusion: While we successfully recruited and provided services to many homeless participants, follow up data should be analyzed to determine how the program affected health outcomes and risk behaviors and why participants who were homeless at enrollment were less likely to utilize prescriptions for syringes.

Learning Objectives:

• After this session, participants will be able to describe an intervention that provided IDUs with primary care and access to sterile syringes.

Keywords: Syringe Sources, Injection Drug Users

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.