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Distributive Syringe Sharing and Use of Syringe Services Programs (SSPs) Among Persons Who Inject Drugs

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Abstract

Monitoring distributive syringe sharing (DSS) and syringe services program (SSP) use among persons who inject drugs (PWID) is important for HIV prevention. PWID aged ≥ 18 in 20 US cities were recruited for National HIV Behavioral Surveillance in 2015 using respondent-driven sampling, interviewed and offered HIV testing. Bivariate and multivariable analyses via log-linked Poisson regression with generalized estimating equations were conducted to examine associations between demographic and behavioral variables and DSS. Effect of SSP use on DSS by HIV sero-status was assessed by including an interaction between SSP and sero-status. Analyses were adjusted for sampling design. Among 10,402 PWID, 42% reported DSS. DSS was less likely to be reported among HIV-positive compared to HIV-negative PWID (aPR = 0.51, CI 0.45–0.60), and among those who primarily obtained syringes from SSPs versus those who did not (aPR = 0.82, 95% CI 0.77–0.88). After adjustment, those who primarily used SSPs were less likely to report DSS than those who did not among both HIV-negative PWID (aPR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.78–0.90) and HIV-positive PWID (aPR = 0.54, 95% CI 0.39–0.75). Findings support expansion of SSPs, and referrals to SSPs by providers working with PWID.

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The Funding was provided by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd. MS US8-4, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA

    Monica Adams, Qian An, Dita Broz, Janet Burnett, Cyprian Wejnert & Gabriela Paz-Bailey

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  1. Monica Adams
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  2. Qian An
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Adams, M., An, Q., Broz, D. et al. Distributive Syringe Sharing and Use of Syringe Services Programs (SSPs) Among Persons Who Inject Drugs. AIDS Behav 23, 3306–3314 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-019-02615-4

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