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Kimmel SD, Samet JH, Cheng DM, Vetrova M, Idrisov B, Rossi SL, Rateau L, Astone K, Michals A, Sisson E, Blokhina E, Milet-Carty N, Bovell-Ammon BJ, Gnatienko N, Truong V, Krupitsky E, Lunze K. Stigma and other correlates of sharing injection equipment among people with HIV in St. Petersburg, Russia. Glob Public Health 2024; 19:2296009. [PMID: 38158724 PMCID: PMC10764055 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2023.2296009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Stigma that people with HIV who inject drugs experience negatively impacts HIV and substance use care, but stigma's association with sharing injection equipment is not known. This is a cross-sectional analysis of data from two studies of people with HIV reporting drug injection (N = 319) in St. Petersburg, Russia (September 2018-December 2020). We used logistic regression to examine associations between HIV stigma and substance use stigma scores (categorised into quartiles) and past 30-day equipment sharing, adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics. Secondary analyses examined associations of arrest history and social support with sharing equipment. Almost half (48.6%) of participants reported sharing injection equipment. Among groups who did and did not share, mean HIV stigma (2.3 vs 2.2) and substance use stigma (32 vs 31) scores were similar. Adjusted analyses detected no significant associations between HIV stigma quartiles (global p-value = 0.85) or substance use stigma quartiles (global p-value = 0.51) and sharing equipment. Neither arrest history nor social support were significantly associated with sharing equipment. In this cohort, sharing injection equipment was common and did not vary based on stigma, arrest history, or social support. To reduce equipment sharing, investments in sterile injection equipment access in Russia should be prioritised over interventions to address stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simeon D Kimmel
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center and Chobanian and Avedisian Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, USA
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Center and Chobanian and Avedisian Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, USA
| | - Jeffrey H Samet
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center and Chobanian and Avedisian Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, USA
| | - Debbie M Cheng
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - Marina Vetrova
- Institute of Pharmacology, Pavlov University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Bulat Idrisov
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sarah L Rossi
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center and Chobanian and Avedisian Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, USA
| | - Lindsey Rateau
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - Kristina Astone
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - Amy Michals
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - Emily Sisson
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - Elena Blokhina
- Institute of Pharmacology, Pavlov University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Natasha Milet-Carty
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center and Chobanian and Avedisian Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, USA
| | - Benjamin J Bovell-Ammon
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center and Chobanian and Avedisian Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, USA
- The Miriam Hospital, Lifespan, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Natalia Gnatienko
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center and Chobanian and Avedisian Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, USA
| | - Ve Truong
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center and Chobanian and Avedisian Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, USA
| | - Evgeny Krupitsky
- Institute of Pharmacology, Pavlov University, St. Petersburg, Russia
- V.M. Bekhterev National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Neurology, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Karsten Lunze
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center and Chobanian and Avedisian Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, USA
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Brener L, Broady T, Cama E, Hopwood M, Byrne J, Treloar C. Positive effects of community attachment on internalised stigma and wellbeing among people who inject drugs. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 97:103323. [PMID: 34146790 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Internalised stigma experienced by people who inject drugs (PWID) is known to have negative health consequences. Research has explored factors that may protect or buffer individuals from the negative consequences of internalised stigma. Community attachment, or perceived connection to a community of like people, can have numerous health-related benefits. However, this relationship may be complex for PWID; being part of a social network of PWID may provide opportunity for more frequent drug use and equipment sharing. This study investigated the relationships between community attachment, internalised stigma, and wellbeing among PWID, while also addressing potential health risks associated with PWID community attachment. METHODS PWID (n=603) were recruited through nine peer-based drug user organisations across Australia with assistance from the peak consumer organisation. Participants completed a survey measuring community attachment, internalised stigma, personal wellbeing, injecting frequency, and equipment sharing. RESULTS Greater attachment to a PWID community was associated with lower internalised stigma, but also with sharing of injecting equipment and increased frequency of injecting behaviour. The relationship between community attachment and personal wellbeing was mediated by internalised stigma, however this was only the case for PWID who reported no sharing of injecting equipment. CONCLUSIONS This research highlights the significance of community attachment for PWID while also noting the complexity of this relationship and the potential negative consequences. It is important to view networks of PWID communities as sources of positive social capital, where norms about health behaviours and harm reduction can be promoted and which can buffer community members from the harms associated with stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loren Brener
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Timothy Broady
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Elena Cama
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Max Hopwood
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jude Byrne
- Australian Injecting & Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL), Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
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Valencia La Rosa J, Ryan P, Alvaro-Meca A, Troya J, Cuevas G, Gutiérrez J, Moreno S. HCV seroconversion in a cohort of people who use drugs followed in a mobile harm reduction unit in Madrid: Breaking barriers for HCV elimination. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0204795. [PMID: 30281616 PMCID: PMC6169909 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aims Harm reduction strategies have been shown to decrease the incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in people who inject drugs (PWID), but the results have been inconsistent when it comes to prevention of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We aimed to examine the rate of HCV seroconversion among people who use drugs (PWUD) followed at a mobile harm reduction unit (MHRU) to evaluate if a low-threshold methadone substitution program (LTMSP) is associated with a low HCV seroconversion rate and subsequently identify barriers for elimination. Materials and methods A cohort of PWUD have been followed at a MRHU in Madrid between 2013 and 2016. Individuals who were negative for HCV antibodies at baseline and who had at least one retest for HCV antibodies were eligible. Kaplan-Meier methods were employed to estimate the global incidence density. Results During the study period, 946 PWUD were screened for HCV at least once. At baseline 127 PWUD were negative for HCV antibodies and had at least one follow-up HCV antibodies test. The baseline HCV prevalence was 33%. After a median 0.89 (IQR 0.3–1.5) years of follow-up and 135 person-years of risk for HCV infection, 28 subjects seroconverted. The incidence density for HCV seroconversion for this sample was 20.7 cases (95% CI: 14.3–29.7) per 100 person-years. Injecting drugs in the last year was strongly associated to HCV seroconversion (AHR 15.5, 95%CI 4.3–55.8, p < 0.001). Methadone status was not associated to HCV seroconversion. Conclusions A high incidence of HCV infection was found among PWUD at a MHRU in Madrid. In this setting opiate substitutive treatment (OST) as a LTMSP does not appear to protect against HCV seroconversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Valencia La Rosa
- Unidad Móvil de Reducción del Daño, Subdirección General de Asistencia en Adicciones, Madrid, España
- * E-mail:
| | - Pablo Ryan
- Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor, Madrid, España
| | | | - Jesús Troya
- Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor, Madrid, España
| | - Guillermo Cuevas
- Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor, Madrid, España
| | - Jorge Gutiérrez
- Organización no gubernamental “Madrid Positivo”, Madrid, España
| | - Santiago Moreno
- Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Universidad de Alcalá, IRYCIS, Madrid, España
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Lancaster KE, Hoffman IF, Hanscom B, Ha TV, Dumchev K, Susami H, Rose S, Go VF, Reifeis SA, Mollan KR, Hudgens MG, Piwowar‐Manning EM, Richardson P, Dvoriak S, Djoerban Z, Kiriazova T, Zeziulin O, Djauzi S, Ahn CV, Latkin C, Metzger D, Burns DN, Sugarman J, Strathdee SA, Eshleman SH, Clarke W, Donnell D, Emel L, Sunner LE, McKinstry L, Sista N, Hamilton EL, Lucas JP, Duong BD, Van Vuong N, Sarasvita R, Miller WC. Regional differences between people who inject drugs in an HIV prevention trial integrating treatment and prevention (HPTN 074): a baseline analysis. J Int AIDS Soc 2018; 21:e25195. [PMID: 30350406 PMCID: PMC6198168 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION People who inject drugs (PWID) experience high HIV incidence and face significant barriers to engagement in HIV care and substance use treatment. Strategies for HIV treatment as prevention and substance use treatment present unique challenges in PWID that may vary regionally. Understanding differences in the risk structure for HIV transmission and disease progression among PWID is essential in developing and effectively targeting intervention strategies of HIV treatment as prevention. METHODS We present a baseline analysis of HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 074, a two-arm, randomized controlled trial among PWID in Indonesia (n = 258), Ukraine (n = 457) and Vietnam (n = 439). HPTN 074 was designed to determine the feasibility, barriers and uptake of an integrated intervention combining health systems navigation and psychosocial counselling for the early engagement of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and substance use treatment for PWID living with HIV. Discordant PWID networks were enrolled, consisting of an HIV-positive index and their HIV-negative network injection partner(s). Among the enrolled cohort of 1154 participants (502 index participants and 652 network partners), we examine regional differences in the baseline risk structure, including sociodemographics, HIV and substance use treatment history, and injection and sexual risk behaviours. RESULTS The majority of participants were male (87%), with 82% of the enrolled females coming from Ukraine. The overall mean age was 34 (IQR: 30, 38). Most commonly injected substances included illegally manufactured methadone in Ukraine (84.2%), and heroin in Indonesia (81.8%) and Vietnam (99.5%). Injection network sizes varied by region: median number of people with whom participants self-reported injecting drugs was 3 (IQR: 2, 5) in Indonesia, 5 (IQR: 3, 10) in Ukraine and 3 (IQR: 2, 4) in Vietnam. Hazardous alcohol use, assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test - Alcohol Consumption Questions (AUDIT-C), was prominent in Ukraine (54.7%) and Vietnam (26.4%). Reported sexual risk behaviours in the past month, including having two or more sex partners and giving/receiving money or drugs in exchange for sex, were uncommon among all participants and regions. CONCLUSIONS While regional differences in risk structure exist, PWID particularly in Ukraine need immediate attention for risk reduction strategies. Substantial regional differences in risk structure will require flexible, tailored treatment as prevention interventions for distinct PWID populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn E Lancaster
- Division of EpidemiologyCollege of Public HealthThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOHUSA
| | - Irving F Hoffman
- Division of Infectious DiseasesSchool of MedicineThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNCUSA
| | | | - Tran Viet Ha
- Department of Health BehaviorGilings School of Global Public HealthThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNCUSA
| | | | - Hepa Susami
- University of Indonesia/Cipto Mangunkusumo HospitalJakartaIndonesia
| | | | - Vivian F Go
- Department of Health BehaviorGilings School of Global Public HealthThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNCUSA
| | - Sarah A Reifeis
- Department of BiostatisticsGilings School of Global Public HealthThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNCUSA
- Center for AIDS Research (CFAR)School of MedicineThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNCUSA
| | - Katie R Mollan
- Center for AIDS Research (CFAR)School of MedicineThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNCUSA
| | - Michael G Hudgens
- Department of BiostatisticsGilings School of Global Public HealthThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNCUSA
- Center for AIDS Research (CFAR)School of MedicineThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNCUSA
| | | | | | - Sergii Dvoriak
- Ukrainian Institute on Public Health PolicyKyivUkraine
- Academy of Labor, Social Relations and TourismKyivUkraine
| | - Zubairi Djoerban
- University of Indonesia/Cipto Mangunkusumo HospitalJakartaIndonesia
| | | | | | | | | | - Carl Latkin
- Department of Health, Behavior, and SocietyJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - David Metzger
- Perelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - David N Burns
- Division of AIDSNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious DiseasesU.S. National Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Jeremy Sugarman
- Department of MedicineBerman Institute of BioethicsJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Steffanie A Strathdee
- Department of MedicineSchool of MedicineUniversity of California San DiegoSan DiegoCAUSA
| | | | - William Clarke
- School of MedicineJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMDUSA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Bui D Duong
- Vietnam Authority of HIV/AIDS Control ‐ Ministry of HealthHanoiVietnam
| | | | | | - William C Miller
- Division of EpidemiologyCollege of Public HealthThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOHUSA
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Vasylyeva TI, Friedman SR, Gensburg L, Smyrnov P. Engagement in sex work does not increase HIV risk for women who inject drugs in Ukraine. J Public Health (Oxf) 2018; 39:e103-e110. [PMID: 27451415 PMCID: PMC5896584 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdw070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2016] [Accepted: 06/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We studied the association between sex in exchange for money, drugs or goods and HIV for women who inject drugs (WWID) in Ukraine, as previous data on this association from the post-USSR region are contradictory. Methods Data come from the Integrated Bio-Behavioral Survey of Ukrainian people who inject drugs collected in 2011 using respondent-driven sampling. Participants were interviewed and tested with rapid HIV tests. Results The sample included 2465 WWID (24% HIV positive); 214 (8.7%) of which reported having had exchange sex during the last 90 days. Crude analysis showed no association between exchange sex and HIV (OR = 0.644; 95% CI 0.385–1.077). No confounders were found to alter this result in a multivariable analysis. Further modeling showed that exchange sex modifies association between HIV and alcohol use: no association between HIV and daily alcohol use was found for those women who exchanged sex (OR = 1.699, 95% CI 0.737–3.956); while not engaging in sex work and daily using alcohol reduced odds to be HIV infected (OR = 0.586, 95% CI 0.389–0.885). Conclusions Exchange sex may have less impact on the HIV status of WWID who are exposed to injecting risks. The finding that daily alcohol use appears protective against HIV among WWID who do not exchange sex requires more research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Samuel R Friedman
- National Development and Research Institutes, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Lenore Gensburg
- School of Public Health, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Pavlo Smyrnov
- International HIV/AIDS Alliance in Ukraine, Kyiv 03680, Ukraine
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Mars SG, Ondocsin J, Ciccarone D. Toots, tastes and tester shots: user accounts of drug sampling methods for gauging heroin potency. Harm Reduct J 2018; 15:26. [PMID: 29769132 PMCID: PMC5956544 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-018-0232-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 04/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Internationally, overdose is the primary cause of death among people injecting drugs. However, since 2001, heroin-related overdose deaths in the United States (US) have risen sixfold, paralleled by a rise in the death rate attributed to synthetic opioids, particularly the fentanyls. This paper considers the adaptations some US heroin injectors are making to protect themselves from these risks. METHODS Between 2015 and 2016, a team of ethnographers collected data through semi-structured interviews and observation captured in field notes and video recording of heroin preparation/consumption. Ninety-one current heroin injectors were interviewed (Baltimore, n = 22; Chicago, n = 24; Massachusetts and New Hampshire, n = 36; San Francisco, n = 9). Experience injecting heroin ranged from < 1-47 years. Eight participants, who were exclusively heroin snorters, were also interviewed. Data were analyzed thematically. RESULTS Across the study sites, multiple methods of sampling "heroin" were identified, sometimes used in combination, ranging from non-injecting routes (snorting, smoking or tasting a small amount prior to injection) to injecting a partial dose and waiting. Partial injection took different forms: a "slow shot" where the user injected a portion of the solution in the syringe, keeping the needle in the injection site, and continuing or withdrawing the syringe or a "tester shot" where the solution was divided into separate injections. Other techniques included getting feedback from others using heroin of the same batch or observing those with higher tolerance injecting heroin from the same batch before judging how much to inject themselves. Although a minority of those interviewed described using these drug sampling techniques, there is clearly receptivity among some users to protecting themselves by using a variety of methods. CONCLUSIONS The use of drug sampling as a means of preventing an overdose from injection drug use reduces the quantity absorbed at any one time allowing users to monitor drug strength and titrate their dose accordingly. Given the highly unpredictable potency of the drugs currently being sold as heroin in the US, universal precautions should be adopted more widely. Further research is needed into facilitators and barriers to the uptake of these drug sampling methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah G Mars
- Heroin in Transition Study, Department of Family and Community Medicine, UCSF, 500 Parnassus Avenue, Milberry Union East, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA. .,Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Jeff Ondocsin
- Heroin in Transition Study, Department of Family and Community Medicine, UCSF, 500 Parnassus Avenue, Milberry Union East, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Daniel Ciccarone
- Heroin in Transition Study, Department of Family and Community Medicine, UCSF, 500 Parnassus Avenue, Milberry Union East, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.,Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Toussova OV, Kozlov AP, Verevochkin SV, Lancaster KE, Shaboltas AV, Masharsky A, Dukhovlinova E, Miller WC, Hoffman IF. A Cohort Approach to Real-Time Detection of Acute HIV Infections Among People Who Inject Drugs in St. Petersburg, Russia. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2018; 34:261-268. [PMID: 29145741 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2017.0076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
To detect acute HIV infections (AHIs) in real time among people who inject drugs (PWID) in St. Petersburg, Russia and to test the feasibility of this approach. Prospective cohort study. One hundred seronegative or acutely HIV-infected at screening PWID were enrolled and followed until the end of the 12-month pilot period. Each participant was evaluated, tested, and counseled for HIV monthly. Two HIV tests were used: HIV antibody and HIV RNA PCR. If diagnosed with AHI, participants were followed weekly for a month; then, monthly for 3 months; and then, quarterly for the duration of the follow-up period. HIV risk behavior was assessed at each study visit. Most enrolled PWID were 30-39 years old, male, completed high school or more, not employed full-time, heroin users, and frequently shared injection paraphernalia. AHI prevalence at screening was 1.8% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.4, 5.5]. Three participants with AHI at enrollment represented 3% (95% CI: 0.6, 8.5) of the 100 participants who consented to enroll. Among the HIV-uninfected participants (n = 97), the AHI incidence over time was 9.3 per 100 person-years. Persons with AHI were more likely to report alcohol intoxication within the prior 30 days. This was the first study to detect AHI using a cohort approach. The approach proved to be feasible: recruitment, retention, AHI detection, and virological endpoints were successfully reached. A cost analysis in a real-world setting would be required to determine if this strategy could be brought to scale. The study revealed continued high HIV incidence rate among PWID in St. Petersburg, Russia and the importance of prevention and treatment programs for this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga V. Toussova
- Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Andrei P. Kozlov
- The Biomedical Center, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Sergei V. Verevochkin
- The Biomedical Center, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Kathryn E. Lancaster
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | | | | | - Elena Dukhovlinova
- The Biomedical Center, St. Petersburg, Russia
- University of North Carolina, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - William C. Miller
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Irving F. Hoffman
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Bouchard M, Hashimi S, Tsai K, Lampkin H, Jozaghi E. Back to the core: A network approach to bolster harm reduction among persons who inject drugs. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2017; 51:95-104. [PMID: 29227844 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Injecting drugs safely almost always includes the presence of one's social network, especially for the prevention of overdose. Yet, the systematic analysis of users' social networks has yet to be established as a focal method in harm reduction research, and interventions. METHODS This study draws from 200 interviews with persons who inject drugs recruited from North America's first sanctioned supervised injection facility and a drug user's advocacy group. Respondents were asked about the individuals they personally considered as facilitators of harm reduction, and the relations between them. Collectively, these 200 respondents provided over 900 individuals whom they considered as members of their harm reduction network. The aim was to locate individuals that would potentially make the network denser (harm reduction champions) and users that were situated in the "periphery" of the network, and in practice, further away from the harm reduction core. RESULTS Of the 1135 network members, 63 individuals formed the "core" of the harm reduction network, collectively reaching approximately 70% of individuals in the network. We also uncovered 31 individuals that acted as "articulation points"- these individuals were not as connected, but were more effective at reaching peripheral individuals. CONCLUSION Former or current injecting drug users that were sampled were surrounded by a relatively rich harm reduction network, but the network approach showed that only a minority of individuals were true harm reduction "champions". Recruitment of a combination of well-connected harm reduction champions, and strategically connected articulation points, would be most effective in planning network interventions that encourage harm reduction behaviors among this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Bouchard
- School of Criminology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada.
| | - Sadaf Hashimi
- Rutgers University, Center for Law and Justice, 123 Washington Street, Newark, NJ, 07102-309, United States
| | - Kristen Tsai
- School of Criminology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Hugh Lampkin
- Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users, 380 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, V6A 1P4, Canada
| | - Ehsan Jozaghi
- School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2329 West Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada; BC Centre for Disease Control, 655 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4R4, Canada
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Uusküla A, Raag M, Marsh K, Talu A, Vorobjov S, Des Jarlais D. HIV prevalence and gender differences among new injection-drug-users in Tallinn, Estonia: A persisting problem in a stable high prevalence epidemic. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0170956. [PMID: 28152026 PMCID: PMC5289488 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION New injectors / younger drug users are an important population to target for intervention because they are often at especially high risk of HIV and HCV infection. We examined HIV prevalence and gender differences in HIV prevalence and risk behavior among new injection-drug-users in Tallinn, Estonia. METHODS Respondent driven sampling (RDS) interview surveys and HIV testing were conducted in Tallinn in 2009, 2011 and 2013. We classified "new injectors" as persons who reported their first injection as occurring within three years of the study interview. Recruiting trees of the three individual RDS studies were joined to form one RDS dataset and RDS estimates for prevalence and means were derived. Bootstrap tests were used to compare data from men and women, HIV infected and uninfected. RESULTS Among 110 new injectors (34 women and 76 men) the mean age was 24.5 (SD 7.5) years; 63% reported injecting mainly fentanyl, 34% injecting mainly amphetamine, 36% sharing syringes, 89% were sexually active, and, of these, 88% did not always use condoms in the last 6 months. HIV prevalence was 18% (95%CI 8-28%) (41% (95%CI 19-63%) among female and 7% (95%CI 2-12%) among male new injectors). Based on self-reports, 8.1% of all new injectors (and 22% of female new injectors) were HIV positive before starting to inject drugs. 40% of HIV infected reported receiving antiretroviral therapy. In multivariable analysis, gender (male: OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.03-0.45), main drug injected (fentanyl: OR 6.7, 95% CI 1.3-35.7) and syringe sharing (distributive: OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.02-0.55; and receptive: OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.0-13.5) were associated with the HIV seropositivity. CONCLUSIONS New injectors exhibit high-risk behavior and correspondingly high HIV prevalence. Sexual transmission of HIV infection, including before injection initiation, is likely to be a significant contributor to HIV risk among female new injectors. This highlights the need to identify and target new injectors and their partners with gender specific interventions in addition to interventions to reduce initiation into injecting and ensuring provision of ART to HIV positive new injectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anneli Uusküla
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Mait Raag
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kristina Marsh
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ave Talu
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Don Des Jarlais
- The Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute, Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, New York, United States of America
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Kozlov AP, Skochilov RV, Toussova OV, Verevochkin SV, Krasnoselskikh TV, Malov SV, Shaboltas AV. HIV incidence and behavioral correlates of HIV acquisition in a cohort of injection drug users in St Petersburg, Russia. Medicine (Baltimore) 2016; 95:e5238. [PMID: 27858877 PMCID: PMC5591125 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000005238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the project was to study human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence, sociodemographic and behavioral correlates of HIV acquisition among injection drug users (IDUs).A total of 717 IDUs were recruited, tested, and counseled for HIV-1; 466 HIV-negative participants were enrolled and followed-up at 6 and 12 months. Sociodemographic and behavioral data were collected during each study visit. The association of sociodemographic and behavioral factors to HIV-1 incidence was assessed.During the 9-month recruitment period, 717 IDUs were screened and 466 participants were enrolled. HIV-1 prevalence at baseline was 35%. Most enrolled subjects were young (median age 30), male (75%), injected heroin in the previous 3 months (86%), about 50% had shared syringes and other paraphernalia, and 44% had unprotected sex in the last month. The retention rate at the 12-month follow-up was 72% and the adjusted retention rate was 88%. The HIV incidence rate was 7.2/100 person-years. HIV incidence was significantly associated with specific drug risk behaviors, including injecting the mixture of heroin and psychostimulants, the frequency of injecting in groups with other people, and having more drug dealers.The St Petersburg IDUs cohort demonstrates one of the highest HIV incidence rates in the world. In 2004 to 2006, the HIV incidence was 4.5, in 2005 to 2007-19.6, and in 2008 to 2009-7.2/100 person-years. The peak of HIV epidemic among IDUs in St Petersburg, as determined by 3 independent cohort studies, was in 2006 to 2007. Interventions targeting IDUs with long experience of heroin injection and high levels of injection risk behaviors are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei P. Kozlov
- Biomedical Center
- Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University
- Correspondence: Andrei P. Kozlov, PhD, The Biomedical Center, 8 Vyborgskaya St, St Petersburg 194044, Russia (e-mail: )
| | | | | | | | | | - Sergey V. Malov
- St Petersburg State University
- St Petersburg Electrotechnical University, St Petersburg, Russia
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11
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Vickerman P, Platt L, Jolley E, Rhodes T, Kazatchkine MD, Latypov A. Controlling HIV among people who inject drugs in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: insights from modeling. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2015; 25:1163-73. [PMID: 25449056 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2014.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2014] [Revised: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 09/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although there is evidence of the effectiveness of needle and syringe programme (NSP), opioid substitution therapy (OST) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) in reducing HIV prevalence, most Central and Eastern European sub-regions still have low or no coverage of most or all of these interventions. METHODS We conducted a modelling analysis to consider the potential impact on HIV incidence and prevalence of OST, NSP and ART in three illustrative epidemic scenarios: Russia (St. Petersburg); Estonia (Tallinn) and Tajikistan (Dushanbe). For each intervention, we consider the coverage needed of each intervention separately or in combination to: (1) achieve a 30% or 50% relative reduction in HIV incidence or prevalence over 10 years; and (2) reduce HIV incidence to below 1% or HIV prevalence below 10% after 20 years. A sensitivity analysis for St. Petersburg considered the implications of greater on no risk heterogeneity, none or more sexual HIV transmission, like-with-like mixing, different injecting cessation rates and assuming a lower HIV acute phase cofactor. RESULTS For St. Petersburg, when OST, NSP and ART are combined, only 14% coverage of each intervention is required to achieve a 30% reduction in HIV incidence over 10 years. Similar findings are obtained for Tallinn and Dushanbe. In order to achieve the same reductions in HIV prevalence over 10 years, over double the coverage level is required relative to what was needed to achieve the same reduction in HIV incidence in that setting. To either reduce HIV incidence to less than 1% or HIV prevalence to less than 10% over 20 years, with all interventions combined, projections suggest that very high coverage levels of 74–85% are generally required for the higher prevalence settings of Tallinn and St. Petersburg, whereas lower coverage levels (23–34%) are needed in Dushanbe. Coverage requirements are robust to increased sexual HIV transmission, risk heterogeneity and like-with-like mixing, as well as to assuming a lower HIV acute phase cofactor or different injecting cessation rate. CONCLUSION The projections suggest that high but achievable coverage levels of NSP can result in large decreases (30%) in HIV incidence in settings with high HIV prevalence among PWID. Required coverage levels are much lower when interventions are combined or in lower prevalence settings. However, even when all three interventions are combined, the targets of reducing HIV incidence to less than 1% or prevalence to less than 10% in 20 years may be hard to achieve except in lower prevalence settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Vickerman
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, UK.
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12
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Dukhovlinova E, Masharsky A, Toussova O, Verevochkin S, Solovyeva T, Meringof M, Paintsil E, White E, Barbour R, Heimer R, Kozlov A. Two Independent HIV Epidemics in Saint Petersburg, Russia Revealed by Molecular Epidemiology. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2015; 31:608-14. [PMID: 25417740 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2014.0150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The HIV epidemic in Russia, one of the world's fastest growing, has been concentrated mostly among people who inject drugs (PWID). We sought to explore the epidemiology of the epidemic in St. Petersburg by sampling from the highest risk groups of PWID and men who have sex with men (MSM) and use viral sequencing data to better understand the nature of the city's epidemic. Serological testing confirmed an HIV prevalence among PWID in excess of 40%. All but 1 of 110 PWID whose blood samples were tested for genetic diversity were infected by subtype A virus, specifically by the AFSU strain. The remaining person was infected with a CRF-06cpx recombinant. Analysis of pairwise genetic distance among all PWID studied revealed an average of 3.1% sequence divergence, suggesting clonal introduction of the AFSU strain and/or constraints on sequence divergence. The HIV prevalence was less than 10% among MSM. All 17 sequences from HIV-infected MSM were found to be a clade B virus with a much higher average sequence diversity of 15.7%. These findings suggest two independent epidemics with little overlap between the two highest at-risk populations, which will require different HIV prevention approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Dukhovlinova
- The Biomedical Center, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | | | - Olga Toussova
- The Biomedical Center, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Sergei Verevochkin
- The Biomedical Center, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
- Saint Petersburg State Polytechnical University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | | | - Maria Meringof
- The Biomedical Center, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | | | - Edward White
- School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Russell Barbour
- School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Robert Heimer
- School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Andrei Kozlov
- The Biomedical Center, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
- Saint Petersburg State Polytechnical University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
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13
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Van Hout MC. Kitchen chemistry: A scoping review of the diversionary use of pharmaceuticals for non-medicinal use and home production of drug solutions. Drug Test Anal 2014; 6:778-87. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.1622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2013] [Revised: 01/18/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marie Claire Van Hout
- School of Health Sciences; Waterford Institute of Technology; Cork Road Waterford City Co. Waterford Ireland
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14
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Hoffman IF, Latkin CA, Kukhareva PV, Malov SV, Batluk JV, Shaboltas AV, Skochilov RV, Sokolov NV, Verevochkin SV, Hudgens MG, Kozlov AP. A peer-educator network HIV prevention intervention among injection drug users: results of a randomized controlled trial in St. Petersburg, Russia. AIDS Behav 2013; 17:2510-20. [PMID: 23881187 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-013-0563-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We evaluated the efficacy of a peer-educator network intervention as a strategy to reduce HIV acquisition among injection drug users (IDUs) and their drug and/or sexual networks. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in St. Petersburg, Russia among IDU index participants and their risk network participants. Network units were randomized to the control or experimental intervention. Only the experimental index participants received training sessions to communicate risk reduction techniques to their network members. Analysis includes 76 index and 84 network participants who were HIV uninfected. The main outcome measure was HIV sero-conversion. The incidence rates in the control and experimental groups were 19.57 (95 % CI 10.74-35.65) and 7.76 (95 % CI 3.51-17.19) cases per 100 p/y, respectively. The IRR was 0.41 (95 % CI 0.15-1.08) without a statistically significant difference between the two groups (log rank test statistic X(2) = 2.73, permutation p value = 0.16). Retention rate was 67 % with a third of the loss due to incarceration or death. The results show a promising trend that this strategy would be successful in reducing the acquisition of HIV among IDUs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irving F Hoffman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, UNC Hospitals, University of North Carolina, CB # 7030, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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15
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Noor SWB, Ross MW, Lai D, Risser JM. Drug and sexual HIV risk behaviours related to knowledge of HIV serostatus among injection drug users in Houston, Texas. Int J STD AIDS 2013; 25:89-95. [PMID: 23970642 DOI: 10.1177/0956462413496079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This study examines the association between drug and sexual HIV risk behaviours and knowledge of HIV serostatus among a sample of injection drug users, recruited into the 2009 National HIV Behavioral Surveillance project. We calculated prevalence ratios and associated 95% confidence intervals of reporting a given risk behaviour comparing injection drug users unaware of their serostatus and HIV-negative to HIV-positive injection drug users. Of 523 participants, 21% were unaware of their HIV serostatus. The three groups were not different from each other in terms of drug-use behaviours; however, injection drug users unaware of their HIV serostatus were 33% more likely to report having more than three sexual partners in the past 12 months and 45% more likely to report having unprotected sex compared to HIV-positive injection drug users. We observed markedly higher prevalence of sexual risk behaviours among injection drug users unaware of their serostatus, but drug-use risk behaviours were similar across the groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed W B Noor
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, USA
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16
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Vasquez C, Lioznov D, Nikolaenko S, Yatsishin S, Lesnikova D, Cox D, Pankovich J, Rosenes R, Wobeser W, Cooper, on behalf of the St. Peters C. Gender disparities in HIV risk behavior and access to health care in St. Petersburg, Russia. AIDS Patient Care STDS 2013; 27:304-10. [PMID: 23651108 DOI: 10.1089/apc.2013.0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Over 40,000 HIV-infected individuals live in St Petersburg, Russia. Population characteristics and barriers to care are largely undefined. 152 consecutive patients receiving HIV care at two sites completed a questionnaire in Spring 2011. Rates of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, alcohol use, and rates of antiretroviral uptake were similar by gender. Males reported a higher history of injection drug use (80.3% vs. 48.7%; p<0.01) and tuberculosis infection (18.8% vs. 1.6%; p<0.01). Females were more likely to have had a child (63.3% vs. 31.5%; p<0.01) and be currently raising that child within their residence (49.3% vs. 15.3%; p<0.01). Unprotected sex (60.5% vs. 17.8%; p<0.01) and a history of sexually transmitted infection (37.7% vs. 20.3%; p=0.03) were more common in females. Females utilized social services more frequently (34.2% vs. 11.9%; p<0.01). There is a heavy burden of concurrent infectious disease, substance use and abuse, mental health illness, and need for social service support in this population. Important differences exist between genders in service uptake and utilization. Further evaluation of these differences may help inform the allocation of limited resources in this high HIV prevalence region of Russia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sergey Yatsishin
- St. Petersburg Branch of Russian Red Cross, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Darya Lesnikova
- St. Petersburg Branch of Russian Red Cross, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - David Cox
- CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jim Pankovich
- CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ron Rosenes
- CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- CTN Community Advisory Committee, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Wendy Wobeser
- CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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Jolley E, Rhodes T, Platt L, Hope V, Latypov A, Donoghoe M, Wilson D. HIV among people who inject drugs in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia: a systematic review with implications for policy. BMJ Open 2012; 2:e001465. [PMID: 23087014 PMCID: PMC3488708 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2012-001465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2012] [Accepted: 09/06/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES HIV among people who inject drugs (PWID) is a major public health concern in Eastern and Central Europe and Central Asia. HIV transmission in this group is growing and over 27 000 HIV cases were diagnosed among PWID in 2010 alone. The objective of this systematic review was to examine risk factors associated with HIV prevalence among PWID in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia and to describe the response to HIV in this population and the policy environments in which they live. DESIGN A systematic review of peer-reviewed and grey literature addressing HIV prevalence and risk factors for HIV prevalence among PWID and a synthesis of key resources describing the response to HIV in this population. We used a comprehensive search strategy across multiple electronic databases to collect original research papers addressing HIV prevalence and risk factors among PWID since 2005. We summarised the extent of key harm reduction interventions, and using a simple index of 'enabling' environment described the policy environments in which they are implemented. STUDIES REVIEWED Of the 5644 research papers identified from electronic databases and 40 documents collected from our grey literature search, 70 documents provided unique estimates of HIV and 14 provided multivariate risk factors for HIV among PWID. RESULTS HIV prevalence varies widely, with generally low or medium (<5%) prevalence in Central Europe and high (>10%) prevalence in Eastern Europe. We found evidence for a number of structural factors associated with HIV including gender, socio-economic position and contact with law enforcement agencies. CONCLUSIONS The HIV epidemic among PWID in the region is varied, with the greatest burden generally in Eastern Europe. Data suggest that the current response to HIV among PWID is insufficient, and hindered by multiple environmental barriers including restricted access to services and unsupportive policy or social environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Jolley
- Centre for Research on Drugs and Health Behaviour, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Tim Rhodes
- Centre for Research on Drugs and Health Behaviour, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Lucy Platt
- Centre for Research on Drugs and Health Behaviour, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Vivian Hope
- Centre for Research on Drugs and Health Behaviour, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Centre for Infections, Health Protection Agency, London, UK
| | - Alisher Latypov
- Eurasian Harm Reduction Network, Vilnius, Lithuania
- Global Health Research Center of Central Asia, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Martin Donoghoe
- Division of Communicable Diseases, Health Security and Environment, World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - David Wilson
- Global HIV/AIDS Programme, World Bank, Washington DC, USA
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18
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To provide an update on the epidemiology and management of HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in resource-limited settings (RLSs). RECENT FINDINGS The global prevalence of HIV is 33.3 million people of whom 22.5 million live in sub-Saharan Africa. Hepatitis C affects 170 million people globally with majority of the infected persons living in sub-Saharan Africa and other RLSs. Transmission of these viruses varies greatly even within the RLSs. In the RLSs in Europe, Asia and Central/South America, most transmissions occur through injection drug use, whereas in Africa use of needles for medical treatment and blood transfusion may be the main modes of transmission. However, generally there is a rise in injection drug use even in RLSs. SUMMARY Hepatitis C and HIV are common infections and are more prevalent in RLSs, but there are regional differences in transmission even in RLSs. Treatment is difficult in some of the RLSs and prevention by screening donor blood as well and use of sterile instruments in treatment of patients will be important in curbing transmission in some of these settings.
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19
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Bonar EE, Rosenberg H. Using the health belief model to predict injecting drug users' intentions to employ harm reduction strategies. Addict Behav 2011; 36:1038-44. [PMID: 21763076 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2011.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2010] [Revised: 04/12/2011] [Accepted: 06/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
We examined whether perceived susceptibility to and severity of two injection-related health conditions (i.e., non-fatal overdose and bacterial infections), and perceived benefits of, barriers to, self-efficacy to, social acceptance of, and recent use of two harm-reduction behaviors (i.e., injecting test shots and pre-injection skin cleaning), predicted injecting drug users' near-term intentions to engage in these two strategies. Recent past use of these two behaviors consistently and positively predicted near-term intentions in each of four drug-use situations (i.e., in withdrawal, not in withdrawal, alone, and with others). Perceived susceptibility to non-fatal overdose predicted intentions to do test shots, but only when participants imagined not being in withdrawal or injecting when alone. Perceived self-efficacy to clean one's skin predicted intentions to engage in this behavior, but only when participants imagined injecting while not in withdrawal. Participants' ratings of how often other injectors in their social network engage in pre-injection skin cleaning was also a significant positive predictor of intentions to clean one's skin, but only when they imagined being in withdrawal. Finally, length of time attending the needle exchange program was negatively associated with intention to engage in skin cleaning when not in withdrawal.
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20
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Cepeda JA, Odinokova VA, Heimer R, Grau LE, Lyubimova A, Safiullina L, Levina OS, Niccolai LM. Drug network characteristics and HIV risk among injection drug users in Russia: the roles of trust, size, and stability. AIDS Behav 2011; 15:1003-10. [PMID: 20872063 PMCID: PMC3112286 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-010-9816-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the influence of drug network characteristics including trust, size, and stability on HIV risk behaviors and HIV testing among injection drug users (IDUs) in St. Petersburg, Russia. Overall, male and female IDUs who reported having high levels of trust in their drug networks were significantly more likely to share syringes than those with lower levels of trust (OR [95% CI]) 2.87 [1.06, 7.81] and 4.89 [1.05, 21.94], respectively). Male and female IDUs in larger drug networks were more likely to share syringes than those in smaller networks (4.21 [1.54, 11.51] and 4.80 [1.20, 19.94], respectively). Characteristics that were significantly associated with not having been HIV tested included drug network instability among men and larger network size among women. High trust, large size, and instability were positively and significantly associated with syringe sharing and not having been HIV tested. Effectiveness of interventions in Russia to reduce the risk of HIV infection may be enhanced if network characteristics are addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier A Cepeda
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
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Gyarmathy VA, Li N, Tobin KE, Hoffman IF, Sokolov N, Levchenko J, Batluk J, Kozlov AA, Kozlov AP, Latkin CA. Unprotected sex in heterosexual partnerships of injecting drug users in st. Petersburg, Russia. AIDS Behav 2011; 15:58-64. [PMID: 20532604 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-010-9721-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We examined the association of individual demographic and behavioral attributes, partnership (dyad) and social network characteristics with unprotected sex in the heterosexual dyads of IDUs in St. Petersburg, Russia. Of the individual-level characteristics female gender and younger age; and of the dyad-level characteristics sharing injecting equipment, social exposure to the sex partner ("hanging out with" or seeing each other daily), and both partners self-reporting being HIV infected were associated with unprotected sex. Although self-reported HIV discordant couples were less likely to engage in unprotected sex, it was reported in over half of self-reported HIV discordant relationships. This study highlights the intertwining of sexual risk and injecting risk, and the importance of sero-sorting based on perceived HIV status among IDU sexual partnerships in St. Petersburg, Russia. A combination of social network and dyad interventions may be appropriate for this population of IDUs, especially for IDUs who are both injecting and sex partners, supported by free and confidential rapid HIV testing and counseling services to provide a comprehensive response to the wide-spread HIV epidemic among IDUs in St. Petersburg.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Anna Gyarmathy
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Cais do Sodré, 1249-289 Lisbon, Portugal.
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Gyarmathy VA, Li N, Tobin KE, Hoffman IF, Sokolov N, Levchenko J, Batluk J, Kozlov AA, Kozlov AP, Latkin CA. Injecting equipment sharing in Russian drug injecting dyads. AIDS Behav 2010; 14:141-51. [PMID: 19214731 PMCID: PMC2818991 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-008-9518-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2008] [Accepted: 12/17/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated how individual attributes, dyad characteristics and social network characteristics may influence engaging in receptive syringe sharing, distributive syringe sharing and sharing cookers in injecting partnerships of IDUs in St Petersburg, Russia. We found that all three levels were associated with injecting equipment sharing, and that dyad characteristics were modified by characteristics of the social network. Self-reported HIV discordance and male gender concordance played a role in the risk of equipment sharing. Dyad interventions may not be sufficient to reduce injecting risk in IDU partnerships, but a combination of dyad and network interventions that target both IDU partnerships and the entire IDU population may be more appropriate to address injecting risk among IDUs.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Anna Gyarmathy
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Lisbon, Portugal.
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