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

Abstract #71002

Susan G. Sherman, MPH, PhD¹, Jennifer R Havens, MPH¹, Marcella Sapun¹, and Tim Guimond². (1) Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, (410) 614-3518, ssherman@jhsph.edu, (2) School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, 720 Rutland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21205

Background: Little is known about correlates of overdose among young injection drug users (IDUs). This study’s objective is to both examine the correlates of overdose in this cohort and describe their overdose experiences. Methods: Eligible participants were aged 15-30 years and had first injected drugs within the previous five years. Subjects underwent an interviewer-administered questionnaire pertaining to drug and sexual behaviors within the past 6 months and HIV antibody testing. Chi-square and logistic regression were used to compare IDUs who did and did not report an overdose. Results: Of 110 participants, 65.5% were male; 85.5% were white, and the median age was 24. Participants had injected a median of 2 years (IQR: 1-4). 33.6% reported having ever experienced an ovedose; 20% reported having overdosed in the past year; and 53% reported having ever witnessed an overdose. Participants had experienced a median of 2 overdoses (IQR: 1-3). In describing their last overdose event, 12% reported being alone, 13.6% reported 911 being called; and 11% reported paramedics administering naloxone. Controlling for gender and years since first injection, white race (AOR=5.6, 95% CI: 1.1-29.1) and recent (<6 months) homelessness (AOR=4.0, 95% CI: 1.5-10.5) were independently associated with ever having experienced an overdose. Conclusions: Among our sample, a large percentage of young IDUs had overdosed, with few having contacted emergency personnel. Homelessness was strongly correlated with ever having overdosed, underscoring the far-reaching effects of housing instability on the health and welfare of IDUs. Programs targeting young IDUs should include overdose prevention education.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants should gain insight into the correlates of drug overdose among young injection drug users in order to inform future interventions.

Keywords: Injection Drug Users,

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.