Elisa Lloyd-Smith

Methodology for evaluating Insite: Canada's first medically supervised safer injection facility for injection drug users.

Many Canadian cities are experiencing ongoing infectious disease and overdose epidemics among injection drug users (IDUs). In particular, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and hepatitis C Virus (HCV) have become endemic in many settings and bacterial and viral infections, such as endocarditis and cellulitis, have become extremely common among this population. In an effort to reduce these public health concerns and the public order problems associated with public injection drug use, in September 2003, Vancouver, Canada opened a pilot medically supervised safer injecting facility (SIF), where IDUs can inject pre-obtained illicit drugs under the supervision of medical staff. The SIF was granted a legal exemption to operate on the condition that its impacts be rigorously evaluated. In order to ensure that the evaluation is appropriately open to scrutiny among the public health community, the present article was prepared to outline the methodology for evaluating the SIF and report on some preliminary observations. The evaluation is primarily structured around a prospective cohort of SIF users, that will examine risk behavior, blood-borne infection transmission, overdose, and health service use. These analyses will be augmented with process data from within the SIF, as well as surveys of local residents and qualitative interviews with users, staff, and key stakeholders, and standardised evaluations of public order changes. Preliminary observations suggest that the site has been successful in attracting IDUs into its programs and in turn helped to reduce public drug use. However, each of the indicators described above is the subject of a rigorous scientific evaluation that is attempting to quantify the overall impacts of the site and identify both benefits and potentially harmful consequences and it will take several years before the SIFs impacts can be appropriately examined.

Prevalence and correlates of abscesses among a cohort of injection drug users

Recent studies have indicated that injection-related infections such as abscesses and cellulitis account for the majority of emergency room visits and acute hospitalizations accrued by local injection drug users. The objective of this analysis was to examine the prevalence and correlates of developing an abscess among a cohort of injection drug users in Vancouver and to identify socio-demographic and drug use variables associated with abscesses at baseline. We examined abscesses among participants enrolled in a prospective cohort of injection drug users. Categorical variables were analyzed using the Pearsons chi-square test and continuous variables were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Among 1 585 baseline participants, 341 (21.5%) reported having an abscess in the last six months. In a logistic regression model that adjusted for all variables that were associated with having an abscess at p < 0.1 in univariate analyses, female gender [odds ratio (OR) = 1.7, [95%CI: 1.2 – 2.4]; p = 0.002), recent incarceration (OR = 1.7, [95%CI: 1.3 – 2.2]; p < 0.001), sex trade involvement (OR = 1.4 [95% CI: 1.0 – 2.0]; p = 0.03), frequent cocaine use (OR = 1.5 [95%CI: 1.2 – 2.0]; p = 0.002) and HIV serostatus (OR = 1.5, [95%CI: 1.2 – 2.0]; p = 0.003) were positively associated with having an abscess. Explanations for these associations require further study, and interventions are needed to address this highly prevalent concern.

Risk factors for developing a cutaneous injection-related infection among injection drug users: a cohort study

BackgroundCutaneous injection-related infections (CIRI), such as abscesses and cellulitis, are common and preventable among injection drug users (IDU). However, risk factors for CIRI have not been well described in the literature. We sought to characterize the risk factors for current CIRI among individuals who use North Americas first supervised injection facility (SIF).MethodsA longitudinal analysis of factors associated with developing a CIRI among participants enrolled in the Scientific Evaluation of Supervised Injecting (SEOSI) cohort between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2005 was conducted using generalized linear mixed-effects modelling.ResultsIn total, 1065 participants were eligible for this study. The proportion of participants with a CIRI remained under 10% during the study period. In a multivariate generalized linear mixed-effects model, female sex (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 1.68 [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.16–2.43]), unstable housing (AOR = 1.49 [95% CI: 1.10–2.03]), borrowing a used syringe (AOR = 1.60 [95% CI: 1.03–2.48]), requiring help injecting (AOR = 1.42 [95% CI: 1.03–1.94]), and injecting cocaine daily (AOR = 1.41 [95% CI: 1.02–1.95]) were associated with an increased risk of having a CIRI.ConclusionCIRI were common among a subset of IDU in this study, including females, those injecting cocaine daily, living in unstable housing, requiring help injecting or borrowing syringes. In order to reduce the burden of morbidity associated with CIRI, targeted interventions that address a range of factors, including social and environmental conditions, are needed.

Impact of HAART and injection drug use on life expectancy of two HIV-positive cohorts in British Columbia.

Background:The introduction of HAART has led to consistent improvements in survival among HIV-infected individuals. However, there is evidence that not all populations have benefited equally from HAART and that mortality rates are higher in HIV-infected injection drug users than in non-users. Objective:To model life expectancies for HIV-positive individuals subdivided according to history of injection drug use and treatment with HAART. Design:Population-based study of HIV-positive persons in British Columbias HIV/AIDS treatment program. Methods:The primary outcome measures in this study were life expectancy at exact age 20 and potential years of life lost. Results:The highest life expectancy (38.9 years) and lowest potential years of life lost were measured for individuals taking HAART and without a history of injection drug use. The lowest life expectancy (19.1 years) and highest potential years of life lost were measured in HIV-positive injection drug users who were not taking HAART. Conclusions:There are substantial disparities in life expectancy for persons living with HIV in British Columbia. Members of the injection drug community, particularly those who are not taking HAART, experience elevated mortality in comparison with those without a history of drug use.

Accessing care for injection-related infections through a medically supervised injecting facility: A qualitative study

Injection drug users (IDU) experience complex barriers to accessing primary medical care which may result in over reliance on emergency health services. Supervised injecting facilities (SIF) aim to address HIV and overdose risks, as well as improve access to primary medical care among IDU. This study sought to investigate IDU perspectives regarding the impact of SIF on access to care and treatment of injection-related infections. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 50 individuals recruited from a cohort of SIF users known as the Scientific Evaluation of Supervised Injecting (SEOSI). Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and a thematic analysis was conducted. IDU narratives indicate the availability of on-site nursing attention at the SIF facilitated uptake of health services. IDU reported that the facility provided assessment and care of injection-related infections, as well as enhanced access to off-site medical services. The presence of professional nursing personnel within a sanctioned drug consumption setting serves to address social and structural barriers that often impede IDU access to health care. This study emphasizes that the facility enables contact with the healthcare system and thereby helps to facilitate the management of injection-related infections.

High prevalence of syringe sharing among street involved youth

Syringe sharing continues to play an integral part in HIV epidemics involving injection drug users around the world. We examined the prevalence of syringe sharing among Canadian street youth enrolled in a prospective cohort study known as the At-Risk Youth Study (ARYS), and used logistic regression to examine factors associated with syringe sharing. Among 509 participants, 154 (30%) had injected drugs in the last 6 months and of those 44 (29%) injectors had shared a syringe in the previous 6 months. In logistic regression, being female (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.31, [95%CI: 1.01–5.28]), binge drug use (AOR = 2.11 [95%CI: 0.99–4.51]) and injection cocaine use (AOR = 2.43 [95%CI: 1.05–5.60]) remained associated with syringe sharing. These data indicate that, in order to reduce the potential for an explosive HIV epidemic among this population, further interventions are urgently needed to address the high level of syringe sharing among street-involved youth.

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is prevalent in wounds of community-based injection drug users

Injection drug users (IDUs) have an elevated risk for carriage of Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Cutaneous injection-related infections are common in IDUs but detailed studies are few. Based on a subsample of 218 individuals from a community-recruited cohort of IDUs at a supervised injection facility, we investigated the microbiology and related antibiotic susceptibility profiles of isolates from 59 wounds. Twenty-seven percent of subjects had at least one wound and 25 (43%) were culture positive for S. aureus alone [14 MRSA and 11 (19%) methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) isolates]. Sixteen of 18 MRSA isolates were classified as community associated (CA) by the presence of genes encoding for PVL. MRSA and MSSA occurred in mixed infection with other organisms on three and six occasions, respectively. All CA-MRSA isolates were susceptible to tetracycline, vancomycin and linezolid but only 13% were susceptible to clindamycin compared to 63% of MSSA isolates. The frequency of CA-MRSA is a cause for concern in wound infection in the IDU setting.

Determinants of hospitalization for a cutaneous injection-related infection among injection drug users: a cohort study

AstractBackgroundCutaneous injection-related infections (CIRI) are a primary reason individuals who inject drugs (IDU) are hospitalized. The objective of this study was to investigate determinants of hospitalization for a CIRI or related infectious complication among a cohort of supervised injection facility (SIF) users.MethodsFrom 1 January 1 2004 until 31 January 2008, using Cox proportional hazard regression, we examined determinants of hospitalization for a CIRI or related infectious complication (based on ICD 10 codes) among 1083 IDU recruited from within the SIF. Length of stay in hospital and cost estimates, based on a fully-allocated costing model, was also evaluated.ResultsAmong hospital admissions, 49% were due to a CIRI or related infectious complication. The incidence density for hospitalization for a CIRI or related infectious complication was 6.07 per 100 person-years (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 4.96 - 7.36). In the adjusted Cox proportional hazard model, being HIV positive (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] = 1.79 [95% CI: 1.17 - 2.76]) and being referred to the hospital by a nurse at the SIF (AHR = 5.49 [95% CI: 3.48 - 8.67]) were associated with increased hospitalization. Length of stay in hospital was significantly shorter among participants referred to the hospital by a nurse at the SIF when compared to those who were not referred (4 days [interquartile range {IQR}: 2-7] versus 12 days [IQR: 5-33]) even after adjustment for confounders (p = 0.001).ConclusionsA strong predictor of hospitalization for a CIRI or related infectious complication was being referred to the hospital by a nurse from the SIF. This finding indicates that nurses not only facilitate hospital utilization but may provide early intervention that prevents lengthy and expensive hospital visits for a CIRI or related infectious complication.

Incidence and determinants of initiation into cocaine injection and correlates of frequent cocaine injectors

PURPOSE To investigate the incidence and correlates of cocaine injection initiation and the impacts of daily cocaine injection among a cohort of injection drug users. METHODS Among 1603 participants, from May 1996 to December 2005, risk factors for initiation of cocaine injection among baseline heroin users were determined by Cox proportional hazards regression and correlates of daily cocaine injection by generalized estimating equations. FINDINGS Of the 238 individuals who had never injected cocaine, 200 (84%) had at least one follow-up visit and 121 (61%) consequently initiated into cocaine injection, yielding an incidence density of initiation into cocaine injection of 21.9% (95% confidence interval (CI): 17.9-25.8) per 100 person-years. In a multivariate model, Downtown Eastside (DTES) residence (adjusted hazard ratio (AHR)=2.46, 95% CI: 1.68-3.60), incarceration (AHR=1.50, 95% CI: 1.01-2.24), requiring help injecting (AHR=1.57, 95% CI: 0.99-2.49), and binge drug use (AHR=1.82, 95% CI: 1.22-2.73) remained associated with initiation into cocaine injection. DTES residence (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=1.99, 95% CI: 1.62-2.46), unstable housing (AOR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.04-1.53), incarceration (AOR=1.29, 95% CI: 1.04-1.60), sex trade involvement (AOR=1.46, 95% CI: 1.15-1.85), requiring help injecting (AOR=2.11, 95% CI: 1.73-2.58)), borrowing syringes (AOR=1.81, 95% CI: 1.35-2.43) and binge drug use (AOR=2.16, 95% CI: 1.81-2.58) were independently associated with daily cocaine injection. CONCLUSIONS The baseline prevalence and subsequent incidence of initiation into cocaine injection was high. Daily cocaine injection was independently associated with a number of health and social harms, including elevated HIV risk behavior.

Sex trade involvement is associated with elevated HIV incidence among injection drug users in Vancouver

Background: Canadas prostitution laws are under scrutiny, and there has been growing debate about the optimal strategies for reducing the harms associated with prostitution. Methods: We evaluated whether sex trade involvement was associated with elevated HIV incidence in a cohort of injection drug users. HIV incidence rates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: At 48 months after enrolment, the rate of HIV was 11.7% among those who did not report baseline sex trade involvement compared to 16.7% among those who did (p = 0.049). The elevated HIV infection rate associated with sex trade involvement was also observed in a Cox model that considered sex trade involvement as a time-updated covariate (relative hazard = 1.51 [95% CI: 1.02–2.25]). Interpretation: These findings should be useful to those currently considering the optimal legal framework for addressing the community and health related harms associated with prostitution in Canada.