Incarceration history, social network composition, and substance use among homeless youth in Los Angeles

Maternal Incarceration and Health Risk Behaviors Among Adolescents: A Latent Class Analysis

Most studies on the impact of maternal incarceration on adolescent health risk behaviors have focused on singular, separated behaviors, even though these behaviors often cluster and co-occur. This study used the FFCWS dataset to examine the association between maternal incarceration and the aggregation of health risk behaviors among adolescents. Latent class analysis suggested the four-class model had the optimal model fit. Multinomial logistic regression revealed that the odds of adolescents with maternal incarceration histories being classified into the "high dietary risk behavior," "high insomnia risk behavior," and "high health risk behavior" groups, compared to the "low health risk behavior" group, were 4.02 times, 3.12 times, and 7.80 times those of adolescents without such experience, respectively. Findings contributed to our knowledge of maternal incarceration's collateral consequences and suggested it be considered in bundled interventions targeting adolescents. Future research that disentangles these relationships' underlying explanatory factors and sociodemographic moderators is needed.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of health, functional, and cognitive outcomes in young people who use methamphetamine

Methamphetamine use typically starts in adolescence, and early onset is associated with worse outcomes. Yet, health, functional, and cognitive outcomes associated with methamphetamine use in young people are not well understood. The aim of this study was to comprehensively assess the evidence on health, functional, and cognitive outcomes in young people (10-25 years-old) who use methamphetamine. Sixty-six studies were included. The strongest association observed was with conduct disorder, with young people who use methamphetamine some 13 times more likely to meet conduct disorder criteria than controls. They were also more likely to have justice system involvement and to perpetrate violence against others. Educational problems were consistently associated with youth methamphetamine use. The cognitive domain most reliably implicated was inhibitory control. Key limitations in the literature were identified, including heterogenous measurement of exposure and outcomes, lack of adequate controls, and limited longitudinal evidence. Outcomes identified in the present review - suggesting complex and clinically significant behavioural issues in this population - are informative for the development of future research and targeted treatments.

Longitudinal changes in co-involved drugs, comorbidities, and demographics of methamphetamine-related deaths in Los Angeles County

INTRODUCTION

We conducted a population-based observational study of all medical examiner cases in Los Angeles County from January 2012 through June 2021 in which methamphetamine was listed as a cause of or contributing factor to death (n = 6125). We aimed to characterize demographics, comorbidities, and co-involved substances in methamphetamine-related deaths longitudinally in Los Angeles County, California.

METHODS

We used detailed death record data to manually classify fatalities by involvement of each organ system, opioids, alcohol, cocaine, other drugs or medications, and external/traumatic causes. Primary outcomes included: the number of methamphetamine-involved deaths, demographics of decedents, percentage of methamphetamine deaths also involving other drugs, and percentage of methamphetamine deaths involving different organ systems. We performed Mann Kendall tests of trends to identify statistically significant longitudinal changes.

RESULTS

During the study period, the percentage of methamphetamine-related deaths involving opioids significantly increased from 16 % in 2012 to 54 % in 2021 (p < 0.001). Concurrently, the percentage involving cardiovascular causes significantly decreased from 47 % to 26 % (p < 0.05). Methamphetamine-related deaths in LAC increasingly affected people experiencing homelessness, for whom the percentage tripled from 13 % in 2012 to 35 % in 2021. The share of decedents under 40 years old increased from 33 % to 41 %. The percentage of Black or African American decedents increased over five-fold from 3 % to 17 %.

CONCLUSIONS

Methamphetamine-related deaths involving opioids more than tripled in Los Angeles County from 2012 to 2021, reflecting the drug supply's shift to illicit fentanyl. More than a quarter involved cardiovascular causes. These findings have implications for treatment and prevention, including scaling up contingency management, distributing naloxone to people who primarily use stimulants, and including cardiovascular care alongside these interventions directly targeted to reduce harms of methamphetamine use.

Prevalence and correlates of methamphetamine use in transitional age youth experiencing homelessness or housing instability in San Francisco, CA

INTRODUCTION

Substance use, including methamphetamine use, is a contributing factor in HIV acquisition and treatment. Stimulant use is linked to mental health yet there is limited data from youth in community-based settings.

DESIGN

One hundred marginally housed or homeless transitional age youth (TAY) were recruited at Larkin Street Youth Services and completed a survey on mental health and substance use.

METHODS

We conducted secondary data analysis using multivariable logistic regression models to identify the correlates of methamphetamine use among TAY.

RESULTS

The participants' mean age was 22. Of those who reported methamphetamine use in the past 3 months, 64% were Gay, Bisexual, or Pansexual. Factors independently associated with methamphetamine use were; living with HIV (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.18, 95% CI = 1.11-9.15), depressive symptoms (aOR = 6.02, 95% CI = 1.46-24.78), symptoms of PTSD (aOR = 13.38, 95% CI = 1.59-112.73), polysubstance use in the past 3 months (aOR = 50.02, 95% CI = 9.72-257.46) and a history of injection drug use (aOR = 8.38, 95% CI = 1.87-37.53).

CONCLUSIONS

Results from this study suggest a need to develop, adapt, and rapidly implement comprehensive interventions that address the combined epidemics of substance use, HIV, and mental health among TAY.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This article examines factors associated with methamphetamine use among transitional age youth (TAY) experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Several factors were associated with use, including depression, PTSD, HIV status, polysubstance use, and injection drug use. These findings highlight the need for nurses to assess for methamphetamine use among youth as well as associated mental health and physical health problems. Nurses should link TAY who are using methamphetamine to evidence-based treatment programs to address substance use and comorbid conditions.

Level and correlates of social support in a community-based sample of Australians who primarily smoke methamphetamine

Little is known about the level and correlates of social support amongst people who use methamphetamine. We aimed to describe, and determine characteristics associated with, social support amongst a community-recruited cohort of Australians who primarily smoked methamphetamine. A cross-sectional study was conducted with data from the Victorian Methamphetamine Cohort Study (VMAX). Adults (aged ≥18 years) who used methamphetamine were recruited from June 2016 to March 2020 across metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas using convenience, snowball, and respondent-driven sampling. Social support was measured using the seven-item Enhancing Recovery In Coronary Heart Disease (ENRICHD) Social Support Inventory (ESSI). Characteristics independently associated with ESSI quartiles were assessed via multivariable partial proportional odds regression. Overall, 718 participants were included for complete-case analysis. Their mean (standard deviation [SD]) age was 34.7 (9.7) years and 62% were male. The mean (SD) and median (lower quartile-upper quartile) ESSI scores were 22.6 (7.6) and 24 (16-29), respectively, on a scale of 8 to 34 where higher scores denote better self-perceived social support. Characteristics independently associated with lower ESSI included past-year homelessness (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.36-0.66), moderate/severe depression (aOR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.42-0.86), increasing age relative to <30 years (aOR[30-39] = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.41-0.91; aOR[≥40] = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.35-0.91) and greater than fortnightly methamphetamine use (aOR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.52-0.91). Characteristics independently associated with higher ESSI were employment (aOR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.06-2.14) and female gender (aOR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.00-1.92). Social support services for people who use methamphetamine could be targeted and tailored to subgroups defined by correlates of social support, such as those who experience homelessness, depression or unemployment.

Associations amongst form of cocaine used (powder vs crack vs both) and HIV-related outcomes

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Among PWH, cocaine use vs no-use was associated with worse HIV treatment outcomes.

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Powder cocaine only users were more likely to be younger, Hispanic, and employed.

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Users of powder + crack cocaine had lower viral suppression than users of either alone.

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Harm reduction efforts addressing substance use should be a key component of HIV care.

Introduction

Cocaine (including powder and crack) use is common among people with HIV (PWH). We identified socio-demographic and behavioral factors associated with cocaine use (overall and various forms) among PWH; we also examined differences in HIV treatment outcomes across cocaine exposure groups.

Methods

The study sample (N = 1166) was derived from two cohorts of PWH in Florida between 2014 and 2020. Baseline data were linked to the Enhanced HIV/AIDS Reporting System (eHARS) which tracks HIV viral load. Socio-demographics and polysubstance use were compared by cocaine use and the three cocaine use groups (powder only n = 101, crack only n = 91, or both n = 65). The association between the three cocaine use groups, ART adherence, and HIV viral suppression (<200 copies/mL) in the following year was assessed by multivariate logistic regression.

Results

People who used cocaine had lower HIV treatment adherence and viral suppression than those who did not use. People who used powder cocaine only were more likely to be younger, Hispanic/Latinx, and employed than those who used crack only or both. Compared to people who used both powder and crack cocaine, those who used one form of cocaine had 3 + odds of having durable viral suppression in the following year.

Conclusion

The dual use of both powder and crack cocaine was associated with significantly worse HIV outcomes compared to use of only one form of cocaine. Screening for powder and crack cocaine use and timely intervention are needed to improve HIV treatment outcomes among this high-risk population.

Perceived Impacts, Acceptability, and Recommendations for Ecological Momentary Assessment Among Youth Experiencing Homelessness: Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND

The use of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to study youth experiencing homelessness (YEH) behaviors is an emerging area of research. Despite high rates of participation and potential clinical utility, few studies have investigated the acceptability and recommendations for EMA from the YEH perspective.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to describe the perceived benefits, usability, acceptability, and barriers to the use of EMA from the homeless youth perspective.

METHODS

YEH were recruited from a larger EMA study. Semistructured exit interviews were performed using an interview guide that focused on the YEH experience with the EMA app, and included perceived barriers and recommendations for future studies. Data analyses used an inductive approach with thematic analysis to identify major themes and subthemes.

RESULTS

A total of 18 YEH aged 19-24 years participated in individual and group exit interviews. The EMA was highly acceptable to YEH and they found the app and EMA surveys easy to navigate. Perceived benefits included increased behavioral and emotional awareness with some YEH reporting a decrease in their high-risk behaviors as a result of participation. Another significant perceived benefit was the ability to use the phones for social support and make connections to family, friends, and potential employers. Barriers were primarily survey and technology related. Survey-related barriers included the redundancy of questions, the lack of customizable responses, and the timing of survey prompts. Technology-related barriers included the "freezing" of the app, battery charge, and connectivity issues. Recommendations for future studies included the need to provide real-time mental health support for symptomatic youth, to create individually customized questions, and to test the use of personalized motivational messages that respond to the EMA data in real time.

CONCLUSIONS

YEH are highly receptive to the use of EMA in studies. Further studies are warranted to understand the impact of EMA on YEH behaviors. Incorporating the YEH perspective into the design and implementation of EMA studies may help minimize barriers, increase acceptability, and improve participation rates in this hard-to-reach, disconnected population.

Combining respondent-driven sampling with a community-based participatory action study of people who smoke drugs in two cities in British Columbia, Canada

Background

The smoking of illicit drugs presents a serious social and economic burden in Canada. People who smoke drugs (PWSD) are at increased risk of contracting multiple infections through risky drug practices. Peer-led harm reduction activities, and the resulting social networks that form around them, can potentially minimize the dangers associated with the smoking illicit drugs.

Goal

The goals of this study were to pilot test the combined approaches of respondent driven sampling with community based participatory action research in these settings and compare the attributes and social networks of PWSD in two British Columbia cities with different harm reduction programs.

Methods

Using community-based participatory action research (CBPAR) and respondent-driven sampling (RDS), individuals with lived drug experiences were employed from communities in Abbotsford and Vancouver as peer researchers to interview ten contacts from their social networks. Contacts completed a questionnaire about their harm reduction behaviours and interactions.

Results

We found that PWSD residing in Abbotsford were more likely to report engaging in harm-promoting behaviours, such as sharing, reusing, or borrowing crack pipes. However, PWSD in the Downtown East side Community of Vancouver were more likely to report engaging in harm-reducing activities, such as being trained in naloxone use and CPR. We found no differences in network sizes between the two communities, despite the population differences and harm reduction programs

Conclusion

The high participation rates and interactions between researchers, and peer researchers enriched the study implementation and successfully informed our results. The fact that there were no differences in network size suggests that people have similar support in Vancouver as in Abbotsford, and that drug use practices differ mainly due to availability of harm reduction programming and resources.

Examining the Relationship between Social Connection and Opioid Misuse: A Systematic Review

METHODS

We used a Boolean search strategy of PubMed, PsycINFO, and Embase to identify eligible publications from January 1990 to March 2020 and narrative analysis to synthesize the evidence.

RESULTS

The database search identified 1267 independent citations; 29 publications met inclusion criteria. Nearly all the studies demonstrated high risk of bias, most often due to selection and confounding bias. Most of the studies in the review (k = 20, 69%) found at least one significant association between social connection and opioid outcomes. Although no two studies included the same measures of social connection or opioid misuse, and social connection was both positively and negatively associated with opioid misuse, results support that social connection is an important correlate of opioid misuse.

CONCLUSIONS

This review highlights the importance of social connection as a correlate to opioid misuse. However, the extensive variability among research studies points to a need for standardization of measurement and larger studies with diverse populations to allow for consequential recommendations for prevention or treatment of opioid misuse. Evidence regarding the associations between social connection and opioid misuse or disorder is sparse. We provide suggestions for advancing this research, including clarification of the complex influences between social connections and opioid misuse.