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Surveillance of Risk Behaviours among Injecting Drug users, 2007. Maurice Hennink, Zahid Abbas, Kathy Lloyd. Background. Collaboration between Public Health Agency of Canada, local and provincial health departments and community stakeholders
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Surveillance of Risk Behaviours among Injecting Drug users, 2007 Maurice Hennink, Zahid Abbas, Kathy Lloyd
Background • Collaboration between Public Health Agency of Canada, local and provincial health departments and community stakeholders • Pilot Study in 2003, Phase I in 2005 and Phase II in 2007 (2 year cycle) • Combines • Biological surveillance • With Behavioural Surveillance • Integrates: Information from other data sources • Case reporting; other research studies (Qualitative Studies)
Objectives • To describe changing patterns • in drug injecting practices • sexual risk behaviours • HIV/HCV testing behaviours among IDU • To describe changing patterns • in the prevalence and perhaps incidence of HIV and HCV infections among IDU
Methods • Questionnaire –demographic and behavioural data • Participation was voluntary • No identifying information collected • Informed consent was obtained • Blood Specimens for HIV and HCV testing • Unique identifier codes generated which linked questionnaire and biological specimen • Test results not given
Demographics In 2007, • 251 subjects enrolled in the survey • 57% of the respondents were men • Predominantly aboriginal (85.7%) • Approximately 60% less than 40 years of age • 90% had high school or less education • 32% started injection drug use before the age of 16 • Majority poly drug user
Number of Times Injected a Day Among Those Who Inject Every Day
People With Whom the Participants Reported Injecting Most Often
Conclusions/Discussion Issues • The recruitment of study population was mainly done at NEP site, the extent to which it can be generalized to all IDU is not known • Representative sample impossible • No sampling frame • Anonymity • Appointment difficult • How can data on Epidemiology of Risk Behaviours be used to help guide where prevention and/or care efforts should be targeted. • How does RQHR compare to national trends? • Needle Exchange Program
Acknowledgements • Our Study Participants • Public Health Agency of Canada • Sexual Health Program, Population and Public Health Services