Research Note: Factors Associated With Skin Cleaning Prior to Injection Among Drug Users

FRANÇAIS :
Les injecteurs de drogues risquent toutes sortes d'infections si leur pratique d'injection n'est pas correctement exécutée. 600 injecteurs de drogues ont été interviewés sur leur comportement et leur situation sociodémographique. Une majorité d'injecteurs ne se désinfecte pas la peau avant l'injection. Les résultats montrent que l'appartenance sexuelle et ethnique ainsi que la fréquence des injections déterminaient le nettoyage ou non de la peau avant l'injection.
ENGLISH :
Injection drug users are at risk for a variety of infections when hygienic injection practices are not performed. Disinfecting the injection site prior to injecting reduces the risk of bacterial infections but has been overlooked in many prevention efforts. Using what is known about factors associated with risk-reduction behaviors of disinfecting equipment, we evaluated a model to determine whether those factors are associated with disinfection of the injection site. Sociodemographic and behavioral data were collected in interviews with 600 injection drug users. The majority of injection drug users do not clean the injection site prior to injecting. Results indicate that gender, ethnicity, and frequency of injection were significantly related to whether or not an injector cleaned the injection site. Failure to clean the injection site prior to injecting is a common practice and constitutes a health risk among injection drug users, particularly in a population prone to other infections. Prevention efforts need to incorporate all levels of sterilization procedures when working with these high risk populations.