Time Trends in High-Risk Injection Practices in a Multi-Site Study in Massachusetts: Effects of Enrollment Site and Residence

• NCJ Number: 137885
• Journal: AIDS Education and Prevention Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: (Summer 1992) Pages: 108-119
• Author(s): J McCusker; A M Stoddard; B A Koblin; J Sullivan; B F Lewis; S M Sereti
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 12 pages
• Grant Number(s): R01-DA05615-01A2
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Time trends in needle sharing and bleach use were examined among needle users enrolled at drug abuse treatment and nontreatment sites in Worcester, Massachusetts, from 1987 through 1989.

Abstract

Study participants included consenting individuals contacted at Worcester AIDS Consortium project sites. Starting in September 1987, all inmates at the men's prison who requested individual counseling following a weekly group educational program were invited to participate. Other sites began enrollment during the first quarter of 1988. Persons at three satellites of a drug abuse treatment center were asked to participate, and a small number of participants were also enrolled from two other residential drug and alcohol treatment programs. All persons at two city health department clinics and two community health centers who requested or were referred for HIV counseling were asked to participate as well. Information was collected using a 20-minute interview given by staff who were not responsible for care and treatment. Study findings revealed substantial declines in high-risk behavior, with different trends at drug treatment versus nontreatment sites. The percentage of individuals sharing needles declined at treatment facilities but not at nontreatment sites. Among those sharing, the proportion using bleach increased at both drug treatment and nontreatment sites. The bleach distribution program in Worcester appeared to be associated with increased bleach use among residents. Bleach use was associated with residence in Worcester, after controlling for age, gender, race, enrollment site, time period, and frequency of sharing. Risk reduction in the subpopulation of needle users entering treatment was greater than that among those not in treatment. The authors conclude that avoidance of sharing is likely to be more effective than bleaching in preventing HIV transmission and that the subpopulation not in treatment should be targeted for prevention programs. 16 references, 4 tables, and 2 figures