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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
H. Ann Finlinson, PhD1, Denise Oliver-Velez, PhDc2, John G. H. Cant, PhD3, Sherry Deren, PhD2, Rafaela Robles, EdD1, Hector M. Colon, PhD1, Jonny Andia, PhD2, and Sung-Yeon Kang, PhD2. (1) Center for Addiction Studies, Universidad Central del Caribe, P.O. Box 60327, Bayamon, PR 00960, 787-288-0200, afinlin@attglobal.net, (2) National Development and Research Institutes, Inc., 71 West 23rd Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10010, (3) School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, P.O. Box 365067, San Juan, PR 00936
Background: Increasing access to new syringes is a key HIV prevention strategy among injection drug users (IDUs). Syringe sources and prices over a three-year period are examined in the context of HIV injection risk behaviors among Puerto Rican IDUs in East Harlem, New York (NY), and Bayamón, Puerto Rico (PR). Methods: At baseline (1998-1999) and 36-month follow-up, 76 IDUs in NY and 85 in PR were surveyed about syringe sources and prices, and HIV risk behaviors in the prior 30 days. Qualitative interviews and observations were also conducted. Results: Compared to PR IDUs at follow-up, NY IDUs injected less (3.3 vs. 7.3 times/day; p<.001), and re-used syringes less (2.6 vs. 7.5 times; p<.001). Between baseline and follow-up, in NY the proportion of syringes from NEPs increased 57.4% to 70.5% (p=.050); syringes from pharmacies did not increase significantly (0.0% to 1.8%; p=.213). In PR, proportions of syringes from major sources did not change significantly: private sellers (41.9% to 44.2%; p=.719); pharmacies (26.8% to 21.9%; p=.367); NEP (16.1% to 18.3%; p=.615). Syringe prices remained stable in both sites. Conclusion: NY NEPs, which offer unlimited numbers of free syringes and drug preparation items, became more dominant. NY pharmacies remained a minor source even though a 2000 law legalized syringe purchases without prescription. Private sellers in PR remained the dominant and most expensive source ($1.00 each). The only source of free syringes in PR, the NEP, permitted larger numbers of syringes to be exchanged but the proportion of NEP syringes did not increase significantly.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Injection Drug Users, Syringe Sources
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.