Prescription opioid injection and HCV among young injection drug users (original) (raw)

Abstract

Background. Incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has increased among young adults over the past 10 years. During this same period, misuse of prescription opioids (PO) has risen among young adults. This analysis compares young injection drug users (IDUs) who have ever injected PO with young IDUs who have not to determine negative health outcomes associated with injecting PO, including HCV. Methodology. Young IDUs were recruited in New York and Los Angeles between 2009-11. Eligible participants had misused any prescription drug at least three times in the past three months. A total of 253 young adults who had ever injected drugs qualified for study enrollment. Multivariate analysis focused on factors associated with ever injecting PO, including patterns of drugs use, syringe sharing, and HCV. Results. A greater proportion of the sample had ever injected PO (60.9%) compared to those who had not (39.1%). Key factors associated with PO injection included: current IDU; ever incarcerated; ...

Karol Tatiana Walteros Silva hasn't uploaded this paper.

Let Karol Tatiana know you want this paper to be uploaded.

Ask for this paper to be uploaded.