International Journal of Drug Policy
Volume 14, Issue 5 , Pages 425-430, December 2003

Injecting behaviour of injecting drug users at needle and syringe programmes and pharmacies in Australia

  • Hla-Hla Thein

      Affiliations

    • National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research Level 2, 376 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Fax: +61-2-9332-1837.
    • ,
  • Marl Denoe

      Affiliations

    • Kirketon Road Centre, P.O. Box 22, Kings Cross, NSW 1340, Australia
    • Fax: +61-2-9360-5154.
    • ,
  • Ingrid van Beek

      Affiliations

    • Kirketon Road Centre, P.O. Box 22, Kings Cross, NSW 1340, Australia
    • Fax: +61-2-9360-5154.
    • ,
  • Gregory Dore

      Affiliations

    • National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research Level 2, 376 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
    • ,
  • Margaret MacDonald

      Affiliations

    • National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research Level 2, 376 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia

Received 1 December 2002; received in revised form 15 March 2003; accepted 24 June 2003.

Abstract 

Objective: To compare demographic and injecting characteristics of clients collecting needle syringes from needle syringe programmes (NSPs) and pharmacies. Methods: Clients obtaining needle syringes from three NSPs and one pharmacy in the same geographic area during one and four weeks, respectively were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire. Results: Approximately half the 336 NSP (56%) and 63 pharmacy (49%) respondents reported using both NSPs and pharmacies in the past month. NSP and pharmacy respondents were similar on many characteristics: male gender (60 and 62%, respectively); median age (30 years for both groups); median age at first injection (18 years both groups); history of methadone treatment (62 and 53%); and heroin as the last drug injected (60 and 59%). NSP respondents were more likely than pharmacy respondents to report imprisonment in the previous year (20% versus 8%, P=0.05), daily injection (67% versus 56%, P=0.09) and re-use of more than one other person’s needle syringe in the previous month (27% versus 7% of 52 and 15 reporting needle syringe re-use). Pharmacy respondents were more likely than NSP respondents to report amphetamine use (32% versus 10%, P<0.001), shared use of tourniquets (24% versus 12%, P=0.01), spoons (43% versus 32%, P=0.09), filters (22% versus 15%, P=0.1), or drug mix (16% versus 9%, P=0.1), and difficulty finding a vein (73% versus 26%, P<0.001). Conclusion: The risk profile of IDUs (Injecting Drug Users) recruited at various sites provides important information for behavioural surveillance and health promotion efforts. Increased convenience of needle syringe access enhances HIV prevention efforts, however, appropriate education is required for people obtaining needle syringes at pharmacies to reduce sharing of injecting equipment other than needle syringes.

Keywords:  Needle syringe exchange programme, Injecting drug users, Pharmacies, Australia

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

PII: S0955-3959(03)00150-6

doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2003.06.001

International Journal of Drug Policy
Volume 14, Issue 5 , Pages 425-430, December 2003

Article Tools