Recorded presentation

Sherry Deren, PhD¹, Sung-Yeon Kang, PhD¹, Héctor M. Colón, PhD², and Rafaela R. Robles, EdD². (1) National Development and Research Institutes, Inc., 71 West 23rd Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10010, 212-845-4463, Deren@NDRI.org, (2) Center for Addiction Studies, School of Medicine, Universidad Central del Caribe, PO Box 60327, Bayamón, PR 00960-6032

Background: Injection drug use is the primary risk factor for HIV among Puerto Ricans in NYC. Predictors of cessation of injection among Puerto Rican drug injectors, over a 6-month time period, were examined. Methods: 587 Puerto Rican injection drug users (IDUs) were recruited in East Harlem, NY during two time periods: 1998-99(Cohort I) and 2002-03 (Cohort II) and followed up 6 months later. Baseline (T1) and 6-month (T2) data were collected on demographics, injection drug use, and potential predictors of cessation of injecting. Significant (p<.10) bivariate predictors were entered into a multivariate regression model to predict cessation of injection at T2. Results: 77% were male; mean age: 38. A total of 47% reported cessation of injecting at T2. In the multivariate analysis, significant predictors of cessation were Cohort (AOR=2.02) (Cohort II was more likely to cease injecting at T2) and being in drug Tx between T1 and T2 (AOR=1.62). T1 variables inversely related to cessation of injecting were NEP use (AOR=.54) and cocaine injection (AOR=.63); (all variables p<.05 or less) Conclusions: About half of all IDUs reported cessation of injecting at a 6-month follow-up. Cohort effects are important factors to consider in examining changes in drug use. The importance of NEP as a source of referral to drug Tx was also indicated. Research on predictors of maintenance of cessation and of relapse to injecting, over longer time periods, are needed.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• List factors that may be related to cessation of injection drug use
• Discuss the importance of assessing cohort effects in looking at changes in drug use over time
• Apply findings to assess programs and research efforts addressing drug injectors

Keywords: Injecting Drug Use, Hispanic

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.

Recorded presentation