University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Risk behaviours of young Indo-Chinese injecting drug users in Sydney and Melbourne

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 20:13 authored by Maher, L, Sargent, P, Higgs, P, Crofts, N, Kelsall, J, Le, TT

Objective: To investigate patterns of drug use and injection-related risk behaviours among young Indo-Chinese injecting drug users (IDUs).

Method: Cross-sectional survey. A structured questionnaire was administered to 184 Indo-Chinese IDUs aged 15 to 24 in Sydney and Melbourne. Participants were recruited using snowball sampling techniques; measures included patterns of heroin and other drug use, injection-related risk behaviours, perceived susceptibility to HIV and HCV infection and access to services.

Results: Despite perceived high availability of sterile injecting equipment, 36% had ever shared a needle and syringe and 22% had done so in the preceding month. Lifetime sharing was significantly associated with duration of injecting, history of incarceration and residence in Sydney. Sharing of injecting paraphernalia other than needles and syringes was also common, with young women and Sydney residents significantly more likely to report sharing equipment in the preceding month.

Conclusions: Young Indo-Chinese IDUs are at high risk of infection with hepatitis C and other blood-borne viruses. Results indicate an urgent need for culturally appropriate and sustainable risk reduction programs which specifically target this population.

Implications: Health services must respond swiftly to implement effective blood-borne virus prevention programs for young Indo-Chinese IDUs. Failure to do so may sustain the current epidemic of hepatitis C among IDUs.

History

Publication title

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

Volume

25

Pagination

50-54

ISSN

1326-0200

Department/School

Tasmanian School of Medicine

Publisher

Public Health Assoc Australia Inc

Place of publication

Australia

Rights statement

Copyright 2001 Public Health Association of Australia

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Clinical health not elsewhere classified

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC