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Syringe sharing among people who inject drugs in London, Canada
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Syringe sharing among people who inject drugs in London, Canada

Ayden I Scheim, Geoff Bardwell, Beth Rachlis, Sanjana Mitra and Thomas Kerr
Canadian journal of public health, v 109(2), pp 174-182
Apr 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-018-0058-1
PMID: 29981046
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
url
https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-018-0058-1View
Published, Version of Record (VoR)Open Access (License Unspecified),  Open

Abstract

Adult Cross-Sectional Studies Disease Outbreaks Female Hepatitis C - epidemiology HIV Infections - epidemiology Humans Male Middle Aged Needle Sharing - adverse effects Needle Sharing - statistics & numerical data Ontario - epidemiology Risk Factors Substance Abuse, Intravenous - epidemiology
London, Ontario, is facing an outbreak of HIV among people who inject drugs (PWID), as well as persistently high levels of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Syringe sharing is the primary driver of HIV and HCV transmission risks among PWID, however, little is known about factors contributing to syringe sharing in this setting. Therefore, we sought to characterize syringe sharing and its correlates among London PWID. Between March and April, 2016, PWID participated in a survey administered by peer research associates as part of the Ontario Integrated Supervised Injection Services Feasibility Study. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models examined associations with syringe sharing (borrowing or lending previously used syringes) over the previous 6 months. A sub-analysis described patterns of borrowing and lending by self-reported HIV and HCV statuses. Of 198 PWID, 44 (22%) reported syringe sharing in the past 6 months. In the multivariable analysis, selling drugs (adjusted odds ratio; AOR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.20-3.08), daily crystal methamphetamine injection (AOR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.07-2.59), and identifying as HIV-positive (AOR = 3.11, 95% CI = 1.61-6.01) were independently associated with increased syringe sharing. While not independently associated with syringe sharing, problems accessing syringes were common (13-50%). Self-reported HIV-positive respondents were more likely to report syringe borrowing (p < 0.001), but not lending (p = 0.26). We observed a high rate of syringe sharing among London PWID, with sharing being associated with high-intensity injection of crystal methamphetamine, as well as with involvement in drug sales. Considering the current HIV outbreak in London, multi-level prevention efforts are urgently needed.

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8 citations in Scopus

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#3 Good Health and Well-Being

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Domestic collaboration
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Web of Science research areas
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
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