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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Ebele O. Benjamin, MPH¹, Danielle C. Ompad, PhD¹, Christina Chan, MPH¹, Linda Weiss, PhD², Sandro Galea, MD, DrPH³, and David Vlahov, PhD¹. (1) Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies, New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029, 212-866-6925, ebenjamin@nyam.org, (2) Division of Health Policy, New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029, (3) Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1214 South University, Room 243, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Objective: Illicit drug use has been associated with reduced access to HIV medications. Sustained drug cessation continues to be a major focus of substance use interventions; yet this issue has received limited attention in out-of-treatment samples. We examined correlates of attempted drug cessation among a street-recruited, economically-disadvantaged, racially-diverse population in New York City (NYC). Methods: Individuals aged Ан18 years with a history of illicit substance use in the past three months were recruited from 36 NYC neighborhoods. Sociodemographics, sexual and drug use behaviors were assessed through interviewer-administered questionnaires. Results: Of 354 people enrolled to date, 53.7% were Hispanic, 36.4% Black and 10% White/mixed/other race. The sample was mostly male (69.5%) and the median age was 37.8; 88.1% tried to quit using drugs at least once; of those 83% had ever been in treatment. In multiple logistic regression, attempting to quit drug use was significantly associated with lifetime heroin use (AOR=2.60) and previous drug or alcohol treatment (AOR=3.94). Males, those whose main income source was recycling or panhandling, and those who reported some cocaine use were significantly less likely to have tried to stop drug use (AOR=0.34, 0.39 and 0.18 respectively). Conclusions: These preliminary data suggest that attempts at quitting drug use vary by the type and frequency of substance used and financial resources. The subgroup reporting cessation without a history of drug abuse treatment merits attention.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss correlates of attempted drug cessation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered