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Profile and correlates of injecting-related injuries and diseases among people who inject drugs in Australia

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 20:25 authored by Colledge, S, Larney, S, Raimondo BrunoRaimondo Bruno, Gibbs, D, Degenhardt, L, Yuen, WS, Dietze, p, Amy PeacockAmy Peacock
Introduction: People who inject drugs (PWID) commonly experience harms related to their injecting, many of which are consequences of modifiable drug use practices. There is currently a gap in our understanding of how certain injecting-related injuries and diseases (IRID) cluster together, and socio-demographic and drug use characteristics associated with more complex clinical profiles.

Method: Surveys were conducted with 902 Australian PWID in 2019. Participants provided information regarding their drug use, and past month experience of the following IRID: artery injection, nerve damage, skin and soft tissue infection, thrombophlebitis, deep vein thrombosis, endocarditis, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, and septicaemia. We performed a latent class analysis, grouping participants based on reported IRID and ran a class-weighted regression analysis to determine variables associated with class-membership.

Results: One-third (34 %) of the sample reported any IRID. A 3-class model identified: 1) no IRID (73 %), moderate IRID (21 %), and 3) high IRID (6%) clusters. Re-using one`s own needles was associated with belonging to the high IRID versus moderate IRID class (ARRR = 2.38; 95 % CI = 1.04−5.48). Other factors, including daily injecting and past 6-month mental health problems were associated with belonging to moderate and high IRID classes versus no IRID class.

Conclusion: A meaningful proportion of PWID reported highly complex IRID presentations distinguished by the presence of thrombophlebitis and associated with greater re-use of needles. Increasing needle and syringe coverage remains critical in addressing the harms associated with injecting drug use and expanding the capacity of low-threshold services to address less severe presentations might aid in reducing IRID amongst PWID.

Funding

Department of Health and Aged Care

History

Publication title

Drug and Alcohol Dependence: An International Journal on Biomedical and Psychosocial Approaches

Volume

216

Article number

108267

Number

108267

ISSN

0376-8716

Department/School

School of Psychological Sciences

Publisher

Elsevier Sci Ireland Ltd

Place of publication

Customer Relations Manager, Bay 15, Shannon Industrial Estate Co, Clare, Ireland

Rights statement

Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Substance abuse

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