Prevalence of HIV and other infections and correlates of needle and syringe sharing among people who inject drugs in Podgorica, Montenegro: a respondent-driven sampling survey

Abstract Background: In Belgium, people who inject drugs (PWID) are at a high risk of being infected by hepatitis C (HCV) as injecting drug use is the main mode for transmission of HCV in Europe. Estimates about the number of people living with HCV in Belgium are rare and even less is known about the prevalence of HCV among PWID. Method: Between 1 February 2019 and 26 April 2019, PWID and high risk opiate users (HROU) were recruited in Brussels through respondent driven sampling (RDS). They were invited to a questionnaire and underwent a rapid HCV-test. Results: 253 respondents participated in the study, of which 168 were PWID and 238 were HROU, with 153 respondents belonging to both categories. The overall unweighted sample average for HCV antibodies was 41.1%. The weighted population estimates were 43.7% (95%CI: 30.6% - 56.8%) for RDS-II and 43.4% (95%CI: 28.9% - 58.0%) for RDS-SS. Conclusions: This prevalence is lower than the prevalence estimates reported elsewhere in Europe. However, the data still suggest that serious efforts are needed to reach the goal set by the WHO to reduce HCV by 2030 with 90%.

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HIV prevalence and risk behaviors among people who inject drugs in Songkhla, Thailand: A respondent-driven sampling survey

International Journal of Drug Policy ◽

10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.01.021 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 31 ◽

pp. 163-167 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Prin Visavakum ◽

Niramon Punsuwan ◽

Chomnad Manopaiboon ◽

Sarika Pattanasin ◽

Panupit Thiengtham ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Behaviors ◽

People Who Inject Drugs ◽

Hiv Prevalence ◽

Respondent Driven Sampling ◽

Sampling Survey

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P3.106 Possible Links in HIV Infection Between Female Sex Workers (FSW) and People Who Inject Drugs (PWID): Findings from a Respondent Driven Sampling Survey in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

10.1136/sextrans-2013-051184.0565 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 89 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. A180.2-A180

Author(s):

N- Makyao ◽

A Kangolle ◽

G Arthur ◽

M Kazaura ◽

S Welty ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Infection ◽

Sex Workers ◽

Female Sex Workers ◽

People Who Inject Drugs ◽

Dar Es Salaam ◽

Respondent Driven Sampling ◽

Female Sex ◽

Sampling Survey

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Prevalence of HCV among people who inject drugs in Brussels – A Respondent Driven Sampling Survey

10.21203/rs.2.19102/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Luk Van Baelen ◽

Els Plettinckx ◽

Jérôme Antoine ◽

Lies Gremeaux

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

People Who Inject Drugs ◽

Injecting Drug Use ◽

Population Estimates ◽

Respondent Driven Sampling ◽

Test Results ◽

Main Mode ◽

Sample Average ◽

Prevalence Estimates ◽

Sampling Survey

Abstract Background: In Belgium, people who inject drugs (PWID) are at a high risk of being infected by hepatitis C (HCV) as injecting drug use is the main mode for transmission of HCV in Europe. Estimates about the number of people living with HCV in Belgium are rare and even less is known about the prevalence of HCV among PWID. Method: Between 1 February 2019 and 26 April 2019, PWID and high risk opiate users (HROU) were recruited in Brussels through respondent driven sampling (RDS). They were invited to a questionnaire and underwent a rapid HCV-test. Results: 253 respondents participated in the study, of which 168 were PWID and 238 were HROU, with 153 respondents belonging to both categories. The overall unweighted sample average for HCV antibodies was 41.1%. The weighted population estimates were 43.7% (95%CI: 30.6% - 56.8%) for RDS-II and 43.4% (95%CI: 28.9% - 58.0%) for RDS-SS. Conclusions: This prevalence is lower than the prevalence estimates reported elsewhere in Europe. However, the data still suggest that serious efforts are needed to reach the goal set by the WHO to reduce HCV by 2030 with 90%.

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High levels of used syringe use and unsafe sex among people who inject drugs in Kumasi, Ghana: an urgent call for a comprehensive harm reduction approach

Harm Reduction Journal ◽

10.1186/s12954-021-00510-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lisa J. Messersmith ◽

Rose Adjei ◽

Jennifer Beard ◽

Angela R. Bazzi ◽

Joel J. Earlywine ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drug Use ◽

Harm Reduction ◽

Population Size ◽

Sex Workers ◽

People Who Inject Drugs ◽

Syringe Sharing ◽

Unsafe Sex ◽

Lack Of Information ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Major Drug

Abstract Background Drug use is a growing concern in Ghana. People who inject drugs (PWID) are highly vulnerable to HIV and other infectious diseases. Ghana’s National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS 2016–2020 identifies PWID as a key population, but efforts to address the needs of PWID have lagged behind those targeting sex workers and men who have sex with men. Lack of information about PWID is a critical barrier to implementing effective HIV prevention and treatment. We aimed to learn more about the vulnerability of the PWID population in order to inform much-needed harm reduction interventions. Methods From April to July 2018, we conducted a mixed methods study in Kumasi, Ghana, to identify all major drug using locations, count the numbers of PWID to obtain rough population size estimations, and administer anonymous surveys to 221 PWID regarding drug use and sexual behavior. We also tested for HIV, HCV, and HBV from syringes used by survey participants. Results Key informants identified five major drug using locations and estimated the total PWID population size to be between 600 and 2000. Enumerators counted between 35 and 61 individuals present at each of the five bases. Sharing syringes and reusing discarded syringes are common practices. Over half of survey participants (59%) reported past-month syringe sharing (34% used a used syringe and 52% gave away a used syringe). Individuals with higher injection frequency (≥ 21 times weekly) and who injected with four or more people had higher odds of syringe sharing. Of the survey participants reporting sex in the last month (23%), most reported having one partner, but only 12% used condoms. Nearly all women (11/13) reported exchanging sex for drugs and 6/13 reported exchanging sex for money in the last six months. Fifteen percent of participants (all men) reported paying for sex using drugs or money. Of the used syringes, prevalence estimates were 3% (HIV), 2% (HCV), and 9% (HBV). Conclusions Our findings confirm the urgent need to implement harm reduction interventions targeting PWID and to build a strong and enabling legal and policy environment in Ghana to support these efforts.

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Healthcare seeking and hospital admissions by people who inject drugs in response to symptoms of injection site infections or injuries in three urban areas of England

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268814000284 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 143 (1) ◽

pp. 120-131 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

V. D. HOPE ◽

F. NCUBE ◽

J. V. PARRY ◽

M. HICKMAN

Keyword(s):

Hospital Admission ◽

Injection Site ◽

Urban Areas ◽

People Who Inject Drugs ◽

Hospital Admissions ◽

Medical Advice ◽

Respondent Driven Sampling ◽

Open Wound ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Healthcare Burden

SUMMARYPeople who inject drugs (PWID) are vulnerable to infections and injuries at injection sites. The factors associated with reporting symptoms of these, seeking related advice, and hospital admission are examined. PWID were recruited in Birmingham, Bristol and Leeds using respondent-driven sampling (N = 855). During the preceding year, 48% reported having redness, swelling and tenderness (RST), 19% an abscess, and 10% an open wound at an injection site. Overall, 54% reported ⩾1 symptoms, with 45% of these seeking medical advice (main sources emergency departments and General Practitioners). Advice was often sought ⩾5 days after the symptom first appeared (44% of those seeking advice about an abscess, 45% about an open wound, and 35% for RST); the majority received antibiotics. Overall, 9·5% reported hospital admission during the preceding year. Ever being diagnosed with septicaemia and endocarditis were reported by 8·8% and 2·9%, respectively. Interventions are needed to reduce morbidity, healthcare burden and delays in accessing treatment.

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