Heroin Use and Injection Risk Behaviors in Colombia: Implications for HIV/AIDS Prevention

Substance Use & Misuse
Pedro Mateu-GelabertSamuel R Friedman

Abstract

Heroin production in Colombia has increased dramatically in recent decades, and some studies point to an increase in local heroin use since the mid-1990s. Despite this rapid increase, little is known about the effects of these activities on heroin injection within Colombia. One of the biggest concerns surrounding heroin injection is the potential spread of HIV through drug user networks. This article examines injection risk behaviors among heroin injectors in the Colombian cities of Medellín and Pereira to explore the implications for possible increased HIV transmission within this group. A cross-sectional study used respondent-driving sampling to recruit a sample of 540 people who inject drugs (PWID) over 18 years of age (Medellín: n = 242, Pereira: n = 298). Structured interviews with each participant were conducted using the World Health Organization Drug Injection Study Phase II Survey. An HIV test was also administered. Information regarding the socio-demographics, injection drug use, HIV risk and transmission behaviors, injection risk management, and HIV knowledge and prevalence of participants are reported. The study identified many young, newly initiated injectors who engage in risky injection practices. The study also ...Continue Reading

Citations

Jun 24, 2017·Journal of Urban Health : Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine·Kathleen StewartEric Wish
Feb 16, 2020·Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America·Alexei ZelenevFrederick L Altice
Jun 23, 2018·Current HIV/AIDS Reports·Pedro Mateu-GelabertS R Friedman
Jan 5, 2019·Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy·Adel ElkbuliGuillermo Prado
Jan 1, 2017·Journal of Substance Use·David Toro-TobónLiliana P Montoya-Vélez
Nov 22, 2017·Revista brasileira de epidemiologia = Brazilian journal of epidemiology·Dedsy Yajaira Berbesi-FernándezAlexandra Ángel Santamaría

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