Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #117265

Crystal Fuller, PhD¹, Wendy Caceres, BA², Sandro Galea, MD, MPH¹, Shannon Blaney, MPH¹, Danielle C. Ompad, PhD¹, and David Vlahov, PhD². (1) Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies, New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029, 212.822-7391, cfuller@nyam.org, (2) Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies (CUES), New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029

Background: The Expanded Syringe Access Demonstration Program (ESAP) legalized nonprescription pharmacy syringe sales in New York in 2001. Black and Hispanic injection drug users (IDUs) continue to lag in utilization of ESAP. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between social network characteristics and pharmacy use to help inform effective HIV prevention programs. Methods: Data were combined from two on-going IDU studies across 5 high-risk NYC neighborhoods. Social network characteristics associated with any nonprescription syringe purchase from a pharmacy (past 6 months) was cross-sectionally examined via chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression. Results: Of 384 IDUs, majority were male (76%), black/Hispanic (82%) and median age was 35 [range 18-60]. Thirty-six percent reported pharmacy use with proportions highest among whites (58%) compared with blacks (25%), and Hispanics (33%;p<0.001). Pharmacy users were more likely to report ESAP knowledge, and no recent use of SEP, than non-users. Additionally, having an IDU friend who had 1) purchased pharmacy syringes, and 2) discussed pharmacies as syringe source was significantly associated with pharmacy use compared with non-use. After adjustment for age, education, and interview date, social network predictors of pharmacy use were ESAP knowledge [Adjusted Odds Ratio(AOR)=5.01;95% Confidence Interval(CI)=2.63-9.54], and having an IDU friend who purchased and/or discussed purchasing pharmacy syringes [AOR=8.33;95% CI=4.57-15.18]. Conclusions: Having IDU peers who have purchased pharmacy syringes and have shared information about pharmacy syringe sales encourages pharmacy use. With low pharmacy use among black/Hispanic IDUs, prevention strategists should consider disseminating pharmacy syringe access information through IDU social networks.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

• Discuss the importance of carefully planned and implemented public health policy to reduce HIV among injection drug users at highest risk (i.e., black and Hispanic IDUs;
• Discuss the utility of using social network based interventions to help inform black and Hispanic IDUs of new policy that increases access to sterile syringes through pharmacies;
• List and explain demographic, behavioral and social network characteristics associated with use of pharmacies as a syringe source (particularly social networks/information support networks) and how these factors may influence uptake among black and Hispanic IDUs.

Keywords: Intravenous Drug Use, Pharmacies

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.