scholarly journals Knowledge about Tuberculosis among Drug Users in Kathmandu Valley

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
P Shrestha
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Correct Knowledge ◽  
Depth Interview ◽  
Source Of Information

Background Drug use is a significant risk factor for acquiring tuberculosis (TB) infection and progressing to active TB due to high Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) seroprevalence, low socio-economic status, poor environmental conditions and problems of access to health care. Illicit drug users are at high risk for TB. Objective To assess the knowledge about TB among drug users whereas the specific objectives are to assess the knowledge about how TB is acquired, transmitted and prevented, the signs and symptoms of TB including diagnosis, curability and the source of information. Methodology Descriptive cross sectional study among 45 male and 18 female drug users in two centers each of Kathmandu and Lalitpur. Semi structured interview schedule was used to collect data. In Depth Interview (IDI) was conducted among 5 drug service providers using IDI guidelines. Results Majority of users (42%) were between 25-29 years and male (71%). About 13% respondents had family history of drug use. Major source of information was print media. Only 33% respondents had the correct knowledge about the causes of TB; however knowledge regarding signs and symptoms was found to be good. About 64% respondents had correct knowledge regarding transmission and 44% about its diagnosis. About 97% respondents knew that TB can be cured but not about the medications and treatment duration. Most users (71%) were familiar with preventive measures. In-depth Interview with drug service providers revealed that drug users are at high risk of acquiring TB as their knowledge regarding TB was poor and drug users ignored about TB. Conclusion Although drug users are at high risk for contracting and spreading TB, the level of knowledge about TB was low. It is necessary to provide them with TB related information and education to reduce the burden of TB. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hprospect.v12i1.8719   Health Prospect: Journal of Public Health Vol.12(1) 2013: 1-6

Relationship between marijuana and other illicit drug use and depression/suicidal thoughts among late middle-aged and older adults

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 577-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Namkee G. Choi ◽  
Diana M. DiNitto ◽  
C. Nathan Marti ◽  
Bryan Y. Choi
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Suicidal Thoughts ◽  
The Usa

ABSTRACTBackground:Despite growing numbers of older-adult illicit drug users, research on this topic is rare. This study examined the relationship between marijuana and/or other illicit drug use and major depressive episode (MDE) and serious suicidal thoughts among those aged 50+ years in the USA.Methods:The public use files of the 2008 to 2012 US National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) provided data on 29,634 individuals aged 50+ years. Logistic regression analysis was used to test hypothesized associations between past-year marijuana and/or other illicit drug use and MDE and serious suicidal thoughts.Results:Nearly 6% of the 50+ years age group reported past-year marijuana and/or other illicit drug use. Compared to non-users of any illicit drug, the odds of past-year MDE among those who used marijuana only, other illicit drugs only, and marijuana and other illicit drugs were 1.54 (95% CI = 1.17–2.03), 2.75 (95% CI = 1.75–4.33), and 2.12 (95% CI = 1.45–3.09), respectively. Those who used marijuana and other drugs also had higher odds (2.44, 95% CI = 1.58–3.77) of suicidal thoughts than non-users of any illicit drug. However, among users of any illicit drug, no difference was found among users of marijuana only, marijuana and other illicit drugs, and other illicit drugs only. Among marijuana users, marijuana use frequency was a significant correlate of suicidal thoughts only among those with MDE.Conclusions:Health and mental health (MH) service providers should pay close attention to the potential reciprocal effects of marijuana and other illicit drug use and MDE and suicidal thoughts among late middle-aged and older adults.

scholarly journals Fatal attraction: A narrative of early opioid addiction

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 470-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willy Pedersen
Keyword(s):  
Drug Abuse ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Healthcare System ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
New Wave ◽  
Opioid Misuse ◽  
Depth Interview ◽  
Morphine Addiction ◽  
Fatal Attraction ◽  
The Usa

Norway’s first clinic to treat drug abuse was established in 1961. Most patients had been initiated into drug use through the healthcare system, i.e., in an iatrogenic manner. However, we know little about the drug users from this period. Here, we present an in-depth interview with a woman born into a wealthy family in the early 1920s who developed a heavy morphine addiction. In the course of the interview, she gradually reveals how her husband, who was a physician, as well as two other physicians, who were also erotically attracted to her, had key roles in this development. The narrative illustrates and elaborates how females from the upper strata of society with close links to male physicians may have been at particular risk of opioid misuse in the period before 1960. We now witness a new wave of iatrogenic drug abuse, particularly in the USA. We suggest that experiences from this period may again be relevant.

scholarly journals Researching Hard-to Reach Populations: Privileged Access Interviewers and Drug Using Parents

2005 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Jane Taylor ◽  
Jackie Kearney
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Drug User ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Privileged Access ◽  
Veil Of Ignorance ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Hard To Reach Populations ◽  
The Media

Accessing drug using populations is notoriously fraught with difficulties for researchers (Gurdin & Patterson, 1987; Griffiths, Gosspo & Strang, 1993; Renzetti & Lee, 1993; Spreen & Zwaagstra, 1994; Goode, 2000; Elliott et al., 2002). These difficulties are the result of a number of reasons. The main one being that drug use is often illicit and/or illegal which often leads to the stigmatization of drug users within the media and elsewhere and this may ultimately lead to their lives being ‘concealed by a veil of ignorance’ (Elliott et al., 2002: 172). When one adds to this the fact that the population in question may have even more reason to remain hidden, for example, that they are drug using parents who may wish to conceal their identity as either parent or as drug user, accessing them may be even more complicated for researchers, service providers and policy makers alike.

AIDS Knowledge among Black Drug Users: An Issue of Reliability

1999 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-124
Author(s):  
Min Qi Wang ◽  
Charles B. Collins ◽  
Connie L. Kohler ◽  
Ralph J. DiClemente ◽  
Gina Wingood
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Predictive Power ◽  
Aids Knowledge

This study examined the reliability of an inventory measuring AIDS-related knowledge among 553 black drug users. Data were collected from a socially high-risk community in Birmingham, Alabama. The KR–20 reliability scores were computed from the inventory for each drug-use group. The KR–20 reliabilities ranged from .39 to .57. These findings may suggest that the inconsistent reports of the predictive power of AIDS knowledge among drug users reported in previous studies might be related to the low internal consistencies of the inventory.

scholarly journals Hidden populations: risk behaviours in drug-using populations in the Republic of Georgia through subsequent peer-driven interventions

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cale Lawlor ◽  
Marine Gogia ◽  
Irma Kirtadze ◽  
Keti Stvilia ◽  
Guranda Jikia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Dynamic Change ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Recruitment Strategy ◽  
Risk Behaviours ◽  
Hidden Populations ◽  
Hiv Knowledge ◽  
Overall Risk

Abstract Background Georgia has a significant risk of ongoing HIV and HCV outbreak. Within this context, harm reduction aims to reduce risk associated with drug use through community activities, such as peer recruitment and involvement. The aim of this study was to identify significant differences between known and hidden populations, and attest to the ongoing utility of peer-driven intervention across multiple years in recruiting high-risk, vulnerable populations through peer networks. It was hypothesised that significant differences would remain between known, and previously unknown, members of the drug-using community, and that peer-driven intervention would recruit individuals with high-risk, vulnerable individuals with significant differences to the known population. Methods Sampling occurred across 9 months in 11 cities in Georgia, recruiting a total of 2807 drug-using individuals. Standardised questionnaires were completed for all consenting and eligible participants, noting degree of involvement in harm reduction activities. These data underwent analysis to identify statistically significant different between those known and unknown to harm reduction activities, including in demographics, knowledge and risk behaviours. Results Peer recruitment was able to attract a significantly different cohort compared to those already known to harm reduction services. Peer-driven intervention was able to recruit a younger population by design, with 25.1% of PDI participants being under 25, compared to 3.2% of NSP participants. PDI successfully recruited women by design, with 6.9% of PDI participants being women compared to 2.0% in the NSP sample. Important differences in drug use, behaviour and risk were seen between the two groups, with the peer-recruited cohort undertaking higher-risk injecting behaviours. A mixture of risk differences was seen across different subgroups and between the known and unknown population. Overall risk, driven by sex risk, was consistently higher in younger people (0.59 vs 0.57, p = 0.00). Recent overdose was associated with higher risk in all risk categories. Regression showed age and location as important variables in overall risk. Peer-recruited individuals reported much lower rates of previous HIV testing (34.2% vs 99.5%, p = 0.00). HIV knowledge and status were not significantly different. Conclusions Significant differences were seen between the known and unknown drug-using populations, and between previous and current research, speaking to the dynamic change of the drug-using culture. The recruitment strategy was successful in recruiting females and younger people. This is especially important, given that this sampling followed subsequent rounds of peer-driven intervention, implying the ability of peer-assisted recruitment to consistently reach hidden, unknown populations of the drug-using community, who have different risks and behaviours. Risk differences were seen compared to previous samples, lending strength to the peer-recruitment model, but also informing how harm reduction programmes should cater services, such as education, to different cohorts.

scholarly journals Injection Drug use Practices and HIV infection among People Who Inject Drugs in Kigali, Rwanda.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Olivier Twahirwa Rwema ◽  
Vianney Nizeyimana ◽  
Neia Prata Menezes ◽  
Nneoma E. Okonkwo ◽  
Amelia A. Mazzei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
People Who Inject Drugs ◽  
Variance Estimation ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Treatment Programs ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background In Rwanda, epidemiological data characterizing people who inject drugs (PWID) and their burden of HIV are limited. We examined injecting drug use (IDU) history, practices, and HIV infection in a sample of PWID in Kigali. Methods From October 2019–February 2020, 322 PWID aged >18 were enrolled in a cross–sectional study using convenience sampling in Kigali. Participants underwent a structured interview and HIV testing. We used Poisson regression with robust variance estimation to assess IDU practices associated with HIV infection. Results The median age was 28 years(IQR:24–31) and 81%(248) were male. The median age at first injection was 23 years (IQR:20–27). HIV prevalence was 9.5%(95%CI:8.7–9.3). In the six months preceding the study, heroin was the primary drug of choice for 99%(303); but cocaine and methamphetamine were also reported by 10%(31) and 4%(12) respectively. Furthermore, 31%(94) and 33%(103) of participants, shared or reused needles in the previous six months, respectively. Up to 43%(133) knew someone who died from a drug–related overdose. PWID reporting sharing needles at least half the time in the previous six months had increased likelihood of HIV infection, compared to those who did not (aPR: 2.67; 95%CI:1.23–5.78). Conclusion HIV infection was common in this sample of PWID in Kigali. The high prevalence of needle reuse and sharing practices highlight significant risk for onward transmission and acquisition of HIV and hepatitis B and C. PWID–focused harm reduction services, including needle and syringe programs, safer injection education, naloxone distribution, and substance use disorder treatment programs, are needed in Rwanda.

Reliability of Drug Users' Self-Reported HIV Risk Behaviors and Validity of Self-Reported Recent Drug Use

Assessment ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 383-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seana Dowling-Guyer ◽  
Mark E. Johnson ◽  
Dennis G. Fisher ◽  
Richard Needle ◽  
John Watters ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Risk Behaviors ◽  
Hiv Risk ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Hiv Risk Behaviors ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

This study examined the reliability and validity of the Risk Behavior Assessment, a structured interview questionnaire designed to evaluate drug use and sexual HIV risk behaviors. Participants were 218 drug users currently not in treatment who completed the RBA two times over a 48-hour period and gave urine samples on both occasions. We examined internal consistency and test-retest reliability and found that, overall, drug users reliably report drug use and sexual behavior, although the reliability of reports of specific needle practice and sexual behavior items was somewhat lower. Validity results indicated that drug users' accurately report use of cocaine and opiates. These findings indicate that this self-report questionnaire, when administered by trained interviewers, reliably measures HIV risk behaviors in a drug-using population and provides a valid assessment of recent drug use.

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