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

Abstract #72563

Matthew J Magee, BA¹, Lawrence Ouellet, PhD², Joyce M Fitzgerald, BA², and Susan L Bailey, PhD². (1) Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Illinois Chicago, 1603 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612, 312 996 3198, mjmagee@uic.edu, (2) Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1603 W. Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612

Objectives: To examine and compare the demographic characteristics, drug use, and sexual behavior of young suburban and urban IDUs, with a focus on conditions and practices associated with HIV infection in earlier generations of IDUs. Methods: IDUs 15-30 years old were recruited in Chicago through street outreach and respondent-driven sampling for an ongoing CDC-funded study, CIDUS-III. Computerized self-administered interviews (ACASI) and serological data were collected. Results: Participants (n=380 to date) were 63% male, 83% non-Hispanic white and 10% Hispanic, median age was 23, median years injecting was 3, and 67% had a suburban residence. Suburban participants (n=256) came from areas that spanned metropolitan Chicago and 30% reported zip codes in areas with above average markers of socioeconomic status. Among all participants 64% reported being thrown out of their homes before age18 and 23% were recently homeless. For the three months preceding baseline, 96% reported injecting heroin, 37% engaged in binge drinking at least weekly, 38% smoked crack at least weekly, 60% shared needles, and 36% had injected speedball. HIV and HCV prevalence were 0.5% and 11%, respectively. Suburban IDUs were more likely to live with their parents (c²=4.0, p<0.05) and less likely to inject at their own place (c²=6.35, p<.05). Conclusions: Injection drug use among young persons is widely dispersed across metropolitan Chicago. Large numbers of young IDUs experience conditions such as homelessness and engage in drug-related practices shown to place earlier generations of IDUs at high risk for HIV and HCV infection.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to:
• describe the demographics of Chicago’s new generation of suburban and urban IDUs
• describe the drug using patterns of said participants and
• assess their risk for infection with blood borne pathogens including HIV and hepatitis C virus.

Keywords: Injection Drug Users, Youth

Related Web page: www.coip.org

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.