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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Jennifer Jackson Bloom, MPH¹, Steve Lankenau, PhD², Bill Sanders, PhD², and Dodi Hathazi, BS¹. (1) Division of Research on Children, Youth and Families, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, 6430 W. Sunset Blvd., Suite 1500, Hollywood, CA 90028, 323-660-2450 (ext 8426), jejackson@chla.usc.edu, (2) Department of Pediatrics, University of Southern California, 6430 W. Sunset Blvd., Suite 1500, Hollywood, CA 90028

Syringe exchange programs have been shown to be an effective component in overall strategies to prevent the transmission of HIV and HCV among injecting drug users (IDUs). However, access to syringe exchanges in the US varies greatly by locality. Few studies have examined whether differential access to syringe exchange programs impacts injection risk behaviors. We recruited a sample of 184 young ketamine injectors (16-28 years old) during 2004 and 2005 from sites in New York, New Orleans, and Los Angeles. A semi-structured interview focused on risk behaviors during the most recent ketamine injection event along with location of the town/city where ketamine was injected, syringe source, and various health outcomes. Subsequently, we determined the absence or presence of a syringe exchange in the locality of the injection event. During the most recent injection event, 43.4% obtained the syringe through a syringe exchange, 25.8% obtained the syringe from a pharmacy, and 30.9% through unconventional or unknown sources (more common in localities without a syringe exchange). Regardless of syringe source, IDUs were less likely to inject with a previously used syringe when injecting in a locality with a syringe exchange (12.5%) than in a locality without a syringe exchange (22.3%). Qualitative data indicates that respondents view syringe exchanges positively and regard them as trustworthy sources of harm reduction information. Our data show that both pharmacy access and syringe exchanges are important sources of sterile syringes for young IDUs, and that education and referrals offered by syringe exchanges may reduce risk behavior.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation the participant will be able to

• Describe how access to syringe exchanges and other sources of sterile injection equipment varies greatly across the United States.
• Define the ways in which local access to clean syringes and safer injecting information can impact injection practices and ultimately disease risk.
• Recognize that young IDUs perceive syringe exchanges as valuable and trustworthy sources of services, information and referrals.

Keywords: Injecting Drug Use, Syringe Exchange

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered