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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Jonny Andia, PhD1, Sherry Deren, PhD1, Sung-Yeon Kang, PhD1, Hector M. Colon, PhD2, and Rafaela Robles, EdD3. (1) National Development and Research Institutes, Inc., 71 West 23rd Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10010, 212-845-4580, jonny.andia@NDRI.org, (2) Center for Addiction Studies, Universidad Central del Caribe, PO Box 60327, Bayamon, PR 00960-6032, (3) Center for Addiction Studies, School of Medicine, Universidad Central del Caribe, PO Box 60327, Bayamon, PR 00960-6032
Objectives: This study will examine the influence of peer norms regarding injection risk behaviors on syringe sharing among a sample of Puerto Rican drug injectors (IDUs). Methods: Analysis was based on 873 Puerto Rican IDUs recruited from January 1998 to July 1999 in Bayamón, Puerto Rico and East Harlem, New York City. Multiple logistic regression was conducted separately on two outcome variables (receptive sharing-used other works, and distributive syringe-share own works with others) by site. Control variables (i.e., gender, age, income, HS graduate, frequency of injection [in the last 30 days]) and a 7 item scale measuring norms regarding injection risks were entered into the regression. Results: Island Puerto Ricans showed a higher incidence of receptive (20% vs. 7% p<.001) and distributive syringe sharing (30% vs. 8% p<.001) than their New York counterparts. Receptive and distributive syringe sharing were positively related to peer norms supporting risky behaviors for New York IDUs. In Puerto Rico, being a high school graduate and peer norms supporting risky behaviors were associated with receptive sharing and higher frequency of injection was associated with distributive syringe sharing. Conclusion: Peer norms related to injection risks are important predictors for receptive and distributive syringe sharing. However, geographical differences (e.g., NY and PR) should be taking into consideration in order to develop effective prevention programs to reduce syringe sharing behaviors.
Learning Objectives: "At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to
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.