Kh. Seal et al., Predictors and prevention of nonfatal overdose among street-recruited injection heroin users in the San Francisco Bay Area, 1998-1999, AM J PUB HE, 91(11), 2001, pp. 1842-1846
Citations number
40
Categorie Soggetti
Public Health & Health Care Science","Envirnomentale Medicine & Public Health","Medical Research General Topics
Objectives. This study sought to determine prevalence of and risk factors f
or nonfatal recent overdose among street-recruited injection heroin users.
Methods. From August 1998 through July 1999, 1427 heroin injectors were rec
ruited from 6 innercity neighborhoods in the San Francisco BayArea, Calif,
and interviewed. Factors hypothesized to be associated with recent overdose
were analyzed with logistic regression.
Results. Of the 1427 participants, 684 (48%) had had an overdose, 466 (33%)
had experienced 2 or more overdose events, and 182 (13%) had had a recent
overdose. In multiple logistic regression, being younger (adjusted odds rat
io [OR] for each year of increasing age = 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI
] = 0.94, 0.97), having been arrested 3 or more times in the past year (adj
usted OR = 2.50; 95% CI = 1.61, 3.87), drinking 4 or more alcoholic drinks
per day (adjusted OR = 2.05; 95% CI = 1.37, 3.05), and having participated
in methadone detoxification during the past year (adjusted OR = 1.47; 95% C
I = 1.03, 2.09) were independently associated with recent overdose. Being h
omeless; identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender; having spen
t 5 or more years in prison or jail; and having engaged in sex work also we
re associated with recent overdose.
Conclusions. Targeted interventions that decrease risk for overdose are urg
ently needed.