scholarly journals Prevalence and correlates of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity among people who inject drugs in the San Diego-Tijuana border region

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0260286
Author(s):  
Steffanie A. Strathdee ◽  
Daniela Abramovitz ◽  
Alicia Harvey-Vera ◽  
Carlos F. Vera ◽  
Gudelia Rangel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Work ◽  
San Diego ◽  
People Who Inject Drugs ◽  
Elevated Risk ◽  
Border Region ◽  
Protective Behavior ◽  
Risk Environment ◽  
Community Based ◽  
The Past ◽  
Mexico Border

Background People who inject drugs may be at elevated SARS-CoV-2 risk due to their living conditions and/or exposures when seeking or using drugs. No study to date has reported upon risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection among people who inject drugs. Methods and findings Between October, 2020 and June, 2021, participants aged ≥18 years from San Diego, California, USA and Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico who injected drugs within the last month underwent interviews and testing for SARS-CoV-2 RNA and antibodies. Binomial regressions identified correlates of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity. Results Of 386 participants, SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 36.3% (95% CI: 31.5%-41.1%); 92.1% had detectable IgM antibodies. Only 37.5% had previously been tested. Seroprevalence did not differ by country of residence. None tested RNA-positive. Most (89.5%) reported engaging in ≥1 protective behavior [e.g., facemasks (73.5%), social distancing (46.5%), or increasing handwashing/sanitizers (22.8%)]. In a multivariate model controlling for sex, older age, and Hispanic/Latinx/Mexican ethnicity were independently associated with SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity, as was engaging in sex work (AdjRR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.18–2.27) and having been incarcerated in the past six months (AdjRR: 1.49; 95% CI: 0.97–2.27). Comorbidities and substance using behaviors were not associated with SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity. Conclusions In this community-based study of people who inject drugs in the San Diego-Tijuana border region, over one third were SARS-CoV-2 seropositive, exceeding estimates from the general population in either city. We found no evidence that substance use behaviors were associated with an elevated risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, but observed that circumstances in the risk environment, notably sex work and incarceration, were independently associated with higher SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence. Our findings suggest that a binational policy response to COVID-19 mitigation is warranted beyond the closure of the U.S.-Mexico border. Furthermore, decriminalizing sex work and drug use could reduce the burden of COVID-19 among people who inject drugs.

scholarly journals Prevalence and correlates of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity among people who inject drugs in the San Diego-Tijuana border region

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffanie Ann Strathdee ◽  
Daniela Abramovitz ◽  
Alicia Harvey-Vera ◽  
Carlos Vera ◽  
Gudelia Rangel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Work ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
San Diego ◽  
People Who Inject Drugs ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Border Region ◽  
Protective Behavior ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
The Past ◽  
Hispanic People

Background: People who inject drugs may be at elevated SARS-CoV-2 risk due to their living conditions and/or exposures when seeking or using drugs. No study to date has reported upon risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection among people who inject drugs or sex workers. Methods and Findings: Between October, 2020 and June, 2021, participants aged ≥18 years from San Diego, California, USA and Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico who injected drugs within the last month underwent interviews and testing for SARS-CoV-2 RNA and antibodies. Binomial regressions identified correlates of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity. Of 386 participants, SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 36.3% (95% CI: 31.5%-41.1%); 92.1% had detectable IgM antibodies. Only 37.5% had previously been tested. Seroprevalence did not differ by country of residence. None tested RNA-positive. Most (89.5%) reported engaging in ≥1 protective behavior [e.g., facemasks (73.5%), social distancing (46.5%), or increasing handwashing/sanitizers (22.8%)]. In a multivariate model controlling for sex, older age, and Hispanic/Latinx/Mexican ethnicity were independently associated with SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity, as was engaging in sex work (AdjRR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.18-2.27) and having been incarcerated in the past six months (AdjRR: 1.49; 95% CI: 0.97-2.27). Presence of comorbidities and substance using behaviors were not associated with SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity. Conclusions: This is the first study to show that sex work and incarceration were independently associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Despite engaging in protective measures, over one-third had evidence of infection, reinforcing the need for a coordinated binational response. Risk mitigation and vaccination is especially needed among older and Hispanic people who inject drugs and those with less agency to protect themselves, such as those who are sex workers or incarcerated.

scholarly journals Correlates of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among People who Inject Drugs in the San Diego-Tijuana Border Region

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffanie Ann Strathdee ◽  
Daniela Abramovitz ◽  
Alicia Y. Harvey-Vera ◽  
Carlos Vera ◽  
Gudelia Rangel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
San Diego ◽  
People Who Inject Drugs ◽  
Smart Phone ◽  
Vaccine Dose ◽  
Border Region ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Robust Standard Error ◽  
Mexico Border ◽  
Standard Error Estimation ◽  
To Receive

Background: People who inject drugs (PWID) are vulnerable to acquiring SARS-CoV-2 but their barriers to COVID-19 vaccination are under-studied. We examined correlates of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among PWID in the U.S.-Mexico border region, of whom only 7.6% had received ≥one COVID-19 vaccine dose by September, 2021. Methods: Between October, 2020 and September, 2021, participants aged ≥18 years from San Diego, California, USA and Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico who injected drugs within the last month completed surveys and SARS-CoV-2, HIV, and HCV serologic testing. Logistic regressions with robust standard error estimation via generalized estimating equations identified factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, defined as being unsure or unwilling to receive COVID-19 vaccines. Results: Of 393 participants, 127 (32.3%) were vaccine hesitant. Older participants, those with greater food insecurity, and those with greater concern about acquiring SARS-CoV-2 were more willing to be vaccinated. Higher numbers of chronic health conditions, having access to a smart phone or computer, and citing social media as one's most important source of COVID-19 information were independently associated with vaccine hesitancy. COVID-19-related disinformation was independently associated with vaccine hesitancy (adjusted odds ratio: 1.51 per additional conspiracy theory endorsed; 95% confidence interval: 1.31-1.74). Conclusions: Nearly one third of PWID in the San Diego-Tijuana border region reported COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, which was significantly influenced by exposure to disinformation. Interventions that improve accurate knowledge and trust in COVID-19 vaccines are needed to increase vaccination in this vulnerable population.

scholarly journals Factors Associated with COVID-19 Testing among People who Inject Drugs: Missed Opportunities for Reaching those Most at Risk

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Yeager ◽  
Daniela Abramovitz ◽  
Alicia Y. Harvey-Vera ◽  
Carlos F. Vera ◽  
Angel B. Algarin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
San Diego ◽  
People Who Inject Drugs ◽  
Vaccine Dose ◽  
Chronic Health Condition ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Border Region ◽  
Treatment Programs ◽  
Missed Opportunities ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Mexico Border

People who inject drugs (PWID) are vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection. We examined correlates of COVID-19 testing among PWID in the U.S.-Mexico border region and described encounters with services or venues representing potential opportunities (i.e., "touchpoints") where COVID-19 testing could have been offered. Between October, 2020 and September, 2021, participants aged ≥18 years from San Diego, California, USA and Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico who injected drugs within the last month completed surveys and SARS-CoV-2, HIV, and HCV serologic testing. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with COVID-19 testing prior to enrollment. Of 583 PWID, 30.5% previously had a COVID-19 test. Of 172 PWID who tested SARS-CoV-2 seropositive in our study (30.1%), 50.3% encountered at least one touchpoint within the prior six months where COVID-19 testing could have been offered. Factors independently associated with at least two fold higher odds of COVID-19 testing were living in San Diego (versus Tijuana), having recently been incarcerated or attending substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and having at least one chronic health condition. In addition, recent homelessness, having had at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose and having been tested for HIV or HCV since the pandemic began were independently associated with COVID-19 testing. We identified several factors independently associated with COVID-19 testing and multiple touchpoints where COVID-19 testing could be scaled up for PWID, such as SUD treatment programs and syringe service programs. Integrated health services are needed to improve access to rapid, free COVID-19 testing in this vulnerable population.

scholarly journals Equitable COVID-19 Vaccination for Hispanics in the United States: A Success Story from California Border Communities

2022 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 535
Author(s):  
Maria Elena Martinez ◽  
Jesse N. Nodora ◽  
Corinne McDaniels-Davidson ◽  
Noe C. Crespo ◽  
Amir Adolphe Edward
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
San Diego ◽  
Underserved Populations ◽  
The United States ◽  
Border Region ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
United States Mexico Border ◽  
Mexico Border ◽  
United States Mexico

The ongoing 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic continues to impact the health of individuals worldwide, including causing pauses in lifesaving cancer screening and prevention measures. From time to time, elective medical procedures, such as those used for cancer screening and early detection, were deferred due to concerns regarding the spread of the infection. The short- and long-term consequences of these temporary measures are concerning, particularly for medically underserved populations, who already experience inequities and disparities related to timely cancer care. Clearly, the way out of this pandemic is by increasing COVID-19 vaccination rates and doing so in an equitable manner so that communities most affected receive preferential access and administration. In this article, we provide a perspective on vaccine equity by featuring the experience of the California Hispanic community, who has been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. We first compared vaccination rates in two United States–Mexico border counties in California (San Diego County and Imperial County) to counties elsewhere in California with a similar Hispanic population size. We show that the border counties have substantially lower unvaccinated proportions of Hispanics compared to other counties. We next looked at county vaccination rates according to the California Healthy Places Index, a health equity metric and found that San Diego and Imperial counties achieved more equitable access and distribution than the rest of the state. Finally, we detail strategies implemented to achieve high and equitable vaccination in this border region, including Imperial County, an agricultural region that was California’s epicenter of the COVID-19 crisis at the height of the pandemic. These United States–Mexico border county data show that equitable vaccine access and delivery is possible. Multiple strategies can be used to guide the delivery and access to other public health and cancer preventive services.

scholarly journals Dynamics and Dispersal of Local Human Immunodeficiency Virus Epidemics Within San Diego and Across the San Diego–Tijuana Border

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bram Vrancken ◽  
Sanjay R Mehta ◽  
Santiago Ávila-Ríos ◽  
Claudia García-Morales ◽  
Daniela Tapia-Trejo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
San Diego ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Border Region ◽  
San Diego County ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Subtype B ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Mexico Border

Abstract Background Evolutionary analyses of well-annotated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) sequence data can provide insights into viral transmission patterns and associated factors. Here, we explored the transmission dynamics of the HIV-1 subtype B epidemic across the San Diego (US) and Tijuana (Mexico) border region to identify factors that could help guide public health policy. Methods HIV pol sequences were collected from people with HIV in San Diego County and Tijuana between 1996–2018. A multistep phylogenetic approach was used to characterize the dynamics of spread. The contributions of geospatial factors and HIV risk group to the local dynamics were evaluated. Results Phylogeographic analyses of the 2034 sequences revealed an important contribution of local transmission in sustaining the epidemic, as well as a complex viral migration network across the region. Geospatial viral dispersal between San Diego communities occurred predominantly among men who have sex with men, with central San Diego being the main source (34.9%) and recipient (39.5%) of migration events. HIV migration was more frequent from San Diego county towards Tijuana than vice versa. Migrations were best explained by the driving time between locations. Conclusions The US-Mexico border may not be a major barrier to the spread of HIV, which may stimulate coordinated transnational intervention approaches. Whereas a focus on central San Diego has the potential to avert most spread, the substantial viral migration independent of central San Diego shows that county-wide efforts will be more effective. Combined, this work shows that epidemiological information gleaned from pathogen genomes can uncover mechanisms that underlie sustained spread and, in turn, can be a building block of public health decision-making.

scholarly journals Food insecurity among people who inject drugs in Athens, Greece: a study in the context of ARISTOTLE programme

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Vana Sypsa ◽  
Eleni Flounzi ◽  
Sotirios Roussos ◽  
Angelos Hatzakis ◽  
Vassiliki Benetou
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
People Who Inject Drugs ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Past ◽  
Middle East Countries ◽  
History Of ◽  
Food Insecurity Access ◽  
Sectional Analysis

Abstract Objective: To measure the prevalence of food insecurity and explore related characteristics and behaviours among people who inject drugs (PWID). Design: Cross-sectional analysis of a community-based programme for HIV infection among PWID (ARISTOTLE programme). Food insecurity was measured by the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. Computer-assisted interviews and blood samples were also collected. Setting: A fixed location in Athens Metropolitan Area, Greece, during 2012–2013. Participants: In total, 2834 unique participants with history of injecting drug use in the past 12 months were recruited over four respondent-driven sampling rounds (approximately 1400/round). Results: More than 50 % of PWID were severely or moderately food insecure across all rounds. PWID were more likely to be severely food insecure if they were older than 40 years [adjusted OR (aOR): 1·71, 95 % CI: 1·33–2·19], were women (aOR: 1·49, 95 % CI: 1·17–1·89), from Middle East countries (aOR v. from Greece: 1·80, 95 % CI: 1·04–3·11), had a lower educational level (primary or secondary school v. higher education; aOR: 1·54, 95 % CI: 1·29–1·84), had no current health insurance (aOR: 1·45, 95 % CI: 1·21–1·73), were homeless (aOR: 17·1, 95 % CI: 12·3–23·8) or were living with another drug user (aOR: 1·55, 95 % CI: 1·26–1·91) as compared with those living alone or with family/friends. HIV-infected PWID were more likely to be severely food insecure compared with uninfected (59·0 % v. 51·0 %, respectively, P = 0·002); however, this difference was attributed to the confounding effect of homelessness. Conclusions: Moderate/severe food insecurity was a significant problem, reaching > 50 % in this sample of PWID and closely related to socio-demographic characteristics and especially homelessness.

Risk Environments and Substance Use Among Mexican Female Sex Work on the U.S.–Mexico Border

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 528-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn M. Nowotny ◽  
Alice Cepeda ◽  
Tasha Perdue ◽  
Nalini Negi ◽  
Avelardo Valdez
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Sex Work ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Female Sex Workers ◽  
Risk Environment ◽  
Female Sex ◽  
Risk Environments ◽  
Mexico Border ◽  
The U.S

We use a risk environment framework to qualitatively examine pathways into substance use and abuse among Mexican female sex workers on the U.S.–Mexico border. Life history interviews and ethnographic observations were conducted with female sex workers to uncover how the border context shapes patterns of substance use. The findings illustrate that, for many women, initiation into sex work is contextualized within immigration, the global economy, and demands and desire for financial autonomy. Paradoxically, many find autonomy within sex work as they increase their ability to support their families and themselves. As women become more entrenched in sex work, however, they are put on a path toward substance abuse beginning with alcohol then cocaine and heroin. This identification of specific substance use pathways and trajectories has important implications for the development of prevention and intervention programs that can help curtail problematic drug use that can lead to negative health consequences.

scholarly journals Migration and Mobility: Correlates of Recent HIV Testing Among Substance Using Female Sex Workers at the Mexico–Guatemala Border

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresita Rocha-Jiménez ◽  
Sonia Morales-Miranda ◽  
Carmen Fernández-Casanueva ◽  
Jay G. Silverman ◽  
María Luisa Zúñiga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Sex Work ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Female Sex Workers ◽  
Border Region ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
The Past ◽  
Female Sex ◽  
Adjusted Logistic Regression ◽  
Time Location Sampling

AbstractThe goal of this paper is to determine the association between traveling to engage in sex work in another country and recent access to HIV testing among substance-using female sex workers (FSWs) in the Mexico–Guatemala border region. From 2012 to 2015, through modified time-location sampling and peer referral, 255 FSWs were recruited at Mexico’s southern border. Participants completed questionnaires on sociodemographics, migration and mobility experiences, work environment factors, and substance use. A conceptual framework, as depicted by a directed acyclic graph (DAG), guided our analysis. Crude and adjusted logistic regression models were used to evaluate the relationships between mobility experiences and HIV testing in the past year. Overall HIV testing was low (41%); after considering relevant covariates (i.e., interaction with health services and organizations, and sex work characteristics) traveling to engage in sex work in another country was found to be positively associated with HIV testing in the past year. Future efforts need to consider voluntary and non-stigmatizing prevention HIV services and focus on reaching out to less mobile women.

Suicidality and Treatment Experience Among Young People Who Inject Drugs

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Ellen Mackesy-Amiti ◽  
Lawrence J. Ouellet
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Young People ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
People Who Inject Drugs ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Psychiatric Research ◽  
Health Treatment ◽  
The Past

Background. We examined correlates of past year suicidal thoughts and behavior (STB) and described past year treatment experiences among young people who inject drugs (PWID). Methods. Participants were 570 adults (18-25 years) who injected primarily heroin. Interviews were conducted at field stations operated by Community Outreach Intervention Projects in Chicago, Illinois (USA). Interviewers administered the Psychiatric Research Instrument for Substance and Mental Disorders. Substance use and mental disorders were based on DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. Past year STB was based on multiple questions. Results. Sixteen percent of men and 25% of women reported STB in the past year. In multivariable analysis, STB was associated with non-heterosexual orientation, foster care, and being raised by two parents. Primary major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, other anxiety disorders, and borderline personality disorder had independent effects on suicidality. Among those reporting past year STB (n=111), 83% ever received mental health treatment, while 44% did so in the past year. While 24% of respondents indicated that at least one treatment matched their needs very well, 30% reported treatment that did not match their needs at all. The most common reason for ending treatment was program completion (about 50%) while getting better was endorsed by about 25%. Nearly half reported ending treatment due to a bad experience, logistical issues, or expense. Conclusions. Young PWID are at high risk for suicidal behavior and their mental health treatment experiences often do not meet their needs. There is a pressing need for more integrated substance use and mental health treatment.

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