Abstract
Background: Fentanyl-related mortality continues to increase in the US, but knowledge of the drivers of fentanyl use (both intentional and unintentional) remains limited. We conducted a rapid assessment to characterize knowledge, attitudes and practices related to fentanyl use in a community-based cohort of current and former people who inject drugs (PWID) in Baltimore, Maryland. Methods: Between November 2017 and June 2018, participants of the AIDS Linked to the IntraVenous Experience (ALIVE) cohort completed a survey related to fentanyl use. Correlates of recent (past 6 months) fentanyl use and preference for fentanyl-contaminated and -substituted heroin (FASH) were examined using logistic regression among persons who reported using drugs in the prior six months. Results: Of 994 participants, 28% reported ever having used fentanyl, with 58% of those reporting recent use. Independent correlates of recent fentanyl use among the subset of participants reporting recent (past 6 month) drug use were younger age, male sex, homelessness, opioid use, cocaine use, and daily injection (p < 0.05 for all). 18% of those who recently used fentanyl reported preference for FASH, which was associated with younger age, homelessness and daily injection (p < 0.05 for all). Conclusions: Recent fentanyl use was commonly reported. Interventions to reduce the harms associated with fentanyl use should target young, homeless PWID who may be more likely to seek out fentanyl.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 41-46 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | International Journal of Drug Policy |
| Volume | 74 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 1 2019 |
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Keywords
- Fentanyl
- Harm reduction
- Heroin
- Opioid overdose
- PWID
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine (miscellaneous)
- Health Policy
Cite this
Recent fentanyl use among people who inject drugs : Results from a rapid assessment in Baltimore, Maryland. / Buresh, Megan; Genberg, Becky; Astemborski, Jacquie; Kirk, Gregory D; Mehta, Shruti Hemendra.
In: International Journal of Drug Policy, Vol. 74, 01.12.2019, p. 41-46.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Recent fentanyl use among people who inject drugs
T2 - Results from a rapid assessment in Baltimore, Maryland
AU - Buresh, Megan
AU - Genberg, Becky
AU - Astemborski, Jacquie
AU - Kirk, Gregory D
AU - Mehta, Shruti Hemendra
PY - 2019/12/1
Y1 - 2019/12/1
N2 - Background: Fentanyl-related mortality continues to increase in the US, but knowledge of the drivers of fentanyl use (both intentional and unintentional) remains limited. We conducted a rapid assessment to characterize knowledge, attitudes and practices related to fentanyl use in a community-based cohort of current and former people who inject drugs (PWID) in Baltimore, Maryland. Methods: Between November 2017 and June 2018, participants of the AIDS Linked to the IntraVenous Experience (ALIVE) cohort completed a survey related to fentanyl use. Correlates of recent (past 6 months) fentanyl use and preference for fentanyl-contaminated and -substituted heroin (FASH) were examined using logistic regression among persons who reported using drugs in the prior six months. Results: Of 994 participants, 28% reported ever having used fentanyl, with 58% of those reporting recent use. Independent correlates of recent fentanyl use among the subset of participants reporting recent (past 6 month) drug use were younger age, male sex, homelessness, opioid use, cocaine use, and daily injection (p < 0.05 for all). 18% of those who recently used fentanyl reported preference for FASH, which was associated with younger age, homelessness and daily injection (p < 0.05 for all). Conclusions: Recent fentanyl use was commonly reported. Interventions to reduce the harms associated with fentanyl use should target young, homeless PWID who may be more likely to seek out fentanyl.
AB - Background: Fentanyl-related mortality continues to increase in the US, but knowledge of the drivers of fentanyl use (both intentional and unintentional) remains limited. We conducted a rapid assessment to characterize knowledge, attitudes and practices related to fentanyl use in a community-based cohort of current and former people who inject drugs (PWID) in Baltimore, Maryland. Methods: Between November 2017 and June 2018, participants of the AIDS Linked to the IntraVenous Experience (ALIVE) cohort completed a survey related to fentanyl use. Correlates of recent (past 6 months) fentanyl use and preference for fentanyl-contaminated and -substituted heroin (FASH) were examined using logistic regression among persons who reported using drugs in the prior six months. Results: Of 994 participants, 28% reported ever having used fentanyl, with 58% of those reporting recent use. Independent correlates of recent fentanyl use among the subset of participants reporting recent (past 6 month) drug use were younger age, male sex, homelessness, opioid use, cocaine use, and daily injection (p < 0.05 for all). 18% of those who recently used fentanyl reported preference for FASH, which was associated with younger age, homelessness and daily injection (p < 0.05 for all). Conclusions: Recent fentanyl use was commonly reported. Interventions to reduce the harms associated with fentanyl use should target young, homeless PWID who may be more likely to seek out fentanyl.
KW - Fentanyl
KW - Harm reduction
KW - Heroin
KW - Opioid overdose
KW - PWID
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85072212185&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85072212185&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.08.006
DO - 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.08.006
M3 - Article
C2 - 31522072
AN - SCOPUS:85072212185
VL - 74
SP - 41
EP - 46
JO - International Journal of Drug Policy
JF - International Journal of Drug Policy
SN - 0955-3959
ER -