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Accepted (AM)Open Access (License Unspecified), Open
Journal article
Patterns of Drug Use, Risky Behavior, and Health Status Among Persons Who Inject Drugs Living in San Diego, California: A Latent Class Analysis
Substance use & misuse, v 50(2)
28 Jan 2015
PMID: 25313832
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Background: Among persons who inject drugs (PWID), polydrug use (the practice of mixing multiple drugs/alcohol sequentially or simultaneously) increases risk for HIV transmission and unintentional overdose deaths. Research has shown local drug markets influence drug use practices. However, little is known about the impact of drug mixing in markets dominated by black tar heroin and methamphetamine, such as the western United States. Methods: Data were collected through an ongoing longitudinal study examining drug use, risk behavior, and health status among PWID. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify patterns of substance use (heroin, methamphetamine, prescription drugs, alcohol, and marijuana) via multiple administration routes (injecting, smoking, and swallowing). Logistic regression was used to identify behaviors and health indicators associated with drug use class. Results: The sample included 511 mostly white (51.5%) males (73.8%), with mean age of 43.5 years. Two distinct classes of drug users predominated: methamphetamine by multiple routes (51%) and heroin by injection (49%). In multivariable logistic regression, class membership was associated with age, race, and housing status. PWID who were HIV-seropositive and reported prior sexually transmitted infections had increased odds of belonging to the methamphetamine class. Those who were HCV positive and reported previous opioid overdose had an increased odds of being in the primarily heroin injection class (all P-values < .05). Conclusion: Risk behaviors and health outcomes differed between PWID who primarily inject heroin vs. those who use methamphetamine. The findings suggest that in a region where PWID mainly use black tar heroin or methamphetamine, interventions tailored to sub-populations of PWID could improve effectiveness.
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Details
- Title
- Patterns of Drug Use, Risky Behavior, and Health Status Among Persons Who Inject Drugs Living in San Diego, California: A Latent Class Analysis
- Creators
- Alexis M. Roth - Drexel UniversityRichard A. Armenta - San Diego State UniversityKarla D. Wagner - University of Nevada RenoScott C. Roesch - San Diego State UniversityRicky N. Bluthenthal - USC, Los Angeles, California, USAJazmine Cuevas-Mota - University of California, San DiegoRichard S. Garfein - University of California San Diego, Division of Global Public Health, School of Medicine, San Diego, California, USA
- Publication Details
- Substance use & misuse, v 50(2)
- Publisher
- Informa Healthcare
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Community Health and Prevention
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000345899900009
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84915758144
- Other Identifier
- 991019168189104721
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InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Substance Abuse