The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #53851

Danielle C. Ompad, PhD¹, Sandro Galea, MD, MPH¹, Crystal Fuller, MPH, PhD², and David Vlahov, PhD¹. (1) Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies, New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029, 212-419-3589, dompad@nyam.org, (2) Division of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 W. 168th Street, 4th floor, Room 422, New York, NY 10032

Since the U.S. PCP epidemic in early 1980s, little has been reported on the epidemiology of PCP. We describe PCP use (PU) among Black and Hispanic heroin, crack and cocaine users aged 15 to 40 who had never injected (n= 490) or initiated injection drug use <=5 in the last 5 years (n=134). Participants were recruited between 2000 and 2002. PU was assessed through interviewer-administered questionnaires. Logistic regression was used to identify correlates of PU. At baseline, 52.4% were Hispanic, 27.4% were Black and 10.2% were White or other race; 68.9% were male. The median age was 29 (range 15-40). Of these young drug users, 44.7% had a lifetime history of PU; among these, 49.8% initiated PU since 1990 and 33.0% used PCP in the last 6 months. Prevalence of PU among Hispanics and Blacks was high (44.0 and 44.7%, respectively). Those who recently initiated PU (since 1990) were more likely to also inject drugs [Odds Ratio (OR)=3.7, p<0.01], more likely to be Hispanic as compared to Black (OR=3.3, p<0.01), and were less likely to have used crack (OR=0.3, p<0.01) in the past. Recent PU initiates started injection at a younger age (19.8 years) as compared to those who initiated PU before 1990 (28.7 years, p=<0.01). PU is common among street-recruited Black and Hispanic drug users. These data indicate that PCP is still available in these communities, and may have become endemic among younger minority drug users.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to:
• Describe the epidemiology of PCP, from the late 1970s to the present
• Discuss the assocation between PCP use and risky drug use and sexual behaviors among minority drug users

Keywords: Epidemiology, Minorities

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.