Self-Care & Risk Reduction Habits in Older Injection Drug Users with Chronic Wounds
BACKGROUND:
We
surveyed a population of injection drug users (IDUs) frequenting the mobile
Baltimore City Needle Exchange Program (BNEP) to investigate self-care factors
associated with chronic wounds, a significant cause of morbidity especially
among older IDUs.
METHODS:
Participants
≥18 years old completed a survey regarding chronic wounds (duration ≥8 weeks),
injection and hygiene practices. Study staff visually verified the presence of
wounds. Participants were categorized into four groups by age and wound status.
Factors associated with the presence of chronic wounds in participants ≥45
years were analyzed using logistic regression.
RESULTS:
Of the
152 participants, 19.7% had a chronic wound. Of those with chronic wounds, 18
were ≥45 years old (60.0%). Individuals ≥45 years old with chronic wounds were
more likely to be enrolled in a drug treatment program and less likely to use cigarette filters
when drawing up prepared drug compared to the same
age group without chronic wounds. Compared to individuals <45 years old
without chronic wounds, individuals ≥45 with a chronic wound were more likely
to report cleaning reused needles with bleach and to
use the clinic, rather than an emergency room, as a primary source of medical
care.
CONCLUSIONS:
Older
IDUs with chronic wounds have different, and perhaps less risky, injection and
hygiene behaviors than their peers and younger IDUs without wounds in Baltimore
City. Because of these differences, older IDUs with wounds may be more
receptive to community-based healthcare and substance abuse treatment messages.
- 1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 5200 Eastern Avenue, MFL Building, Center Tower, 3rd Floor, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA. kej1229@gmail.com.
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