An Investigation into Predictors of Risk-Associated Injecting Behaviours in a Sample of Injecting Drug Users

摘要: LITERATURE REVIEW The sharing and lending of injecting equipment amongst the drug user (IDU) population has been identified as a leading cause transmission of blood-borne viruses such hepatitis B (HBV), C (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A large body research exists which attempted to identify those IDU who are at elevated risk for engaging in behaviours known to be associated with BBV transmission. Primary these factors are those relating to impulsivity traits, psychological distress including anxiety and depression, pharmacological effects drug use. Also, number demographic and use variables also routinely investigated literatures possible risk factors, typically include sex, age, duration history, frequency injecting, preferred choice, sexual orientation, treatment status, accommodation status, education level, ethnicity, presence or absence of prison history. The following literature review describes existing into each of these key variables, elucidating present clear BBV transmission behaviours, somewhat ambivalent the prediction rates. Further, review discusses need comprehensive be conducted, identifying the variables that most predictive this population. EMPIRICAL STUDY Incidence blood-borne Hepatitis B, C, HIV have begun rise recent years, now being communicable disease Australia. Spread by blood-to-blood contact, it is recognised by far majority new cases transmitted during the process illicit drugs, through injecting equipment. Previous studies have independently predict users (rpm behaviours. These demographic, injection psychological distress (i.e. depression), however date no comprehensively examined combined sense in order establish heightened risky injection episodes. The current study sought address this, utilised multivariate regression modelling approach sample 269 regular Tasmania to examine contribution above prediction engagement in various behaviours. details emerged as significant predictors needle syringe contamination, other contamination, contamination from others, exposure from being injected needlestick well overall risk. While the factors significantly contribute various aspects transmission behaviours vary, unstable amphetamine use, alcohol use, less occasions self-injection, higher symptoms anxiety, desire to seek out novel stimulation significant contributors overall risk. Of these, reduced episodes self-injection were clearly important multivariate model for overall This finding suggests that while there value delivering intervention efforts all IDU, particular attention emphasis should paid IDU exhibiting factors. Specific strategies intervention discussed in the below report.