Description throughout the years of the characteristics of drug users that approach for the first time a low threshold program without treatment request

Postgraduate Thesis uoadl:2837700 469 Read counter

Unit:
ΠΜΣ Αντιμετώπιση Εξαρτήσεων-Εξαρτησιολογία
Library of the School of Health Sciences
Deposit date:
2018-12-14
Year:
2018
Author:
Dimitropoulou Maria
Supervisors info:
Βασιλική-Αναστασία Σύψα, Επίκουρη Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική, ΕΚΠΑ
Θωμάς Παπαρρηγόπουλος, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική, ΕΚΠΑ
Στεφανής Νικόλαος, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική, ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Διαχρονική αποτύπωση των χαρακτηριστικών ενεργών χρηστών ναρκωτικών που προσέρχονται για πρώτη φορά σε υπηρεσία άμεσης πρόσβασης και δεν αιτούνται θεραπεία
Languages:
Greek
Translated title:
Description throughout the years of the characteristics of drug users that approach for the first time a low threshold program without treatment request
Summary:
Objective: During 2011-2013 there was an HIV outbreak among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Athens, Greece. The evaluation of the characteristics of drug users who approach low threshold services without treatment request has not been performed in the past in Greece and it would be useful to gain insight in the causes of the HIV outbreak and for subsequent monitoring.
Aim: The aim of the present study was the description of the characteristics of drug users that approach for the first time a low threshold program of the Greek Organisation Against Drugs-ΟΚΑΝΑ in Athens without treatment request and the evaluation of trends in their characteristics and risk behaviors before, during and after the HIV outbreak.
Material – Methods: Drug users that visited low threshold program (OKANA) the years 2010 (n=109), 2012 (n=99) and 2016-2017 (n=134). During the first appointment, a questionnaire with general information was completed (demographic characteristics, drug use etc.). Statistical analysis was performed with the use of x2 test, ANOVA and Kruskall -Wallis.
Results: In 2010, 54.1% of the sample reported homelessness and 28.4% were not of Greek nationality. The majority reported daily drug use (93.6%) while heroin was the main substance used (94.5%). Throughout the years a decrease was observed in the proportion of non-Greek drug users (28.4%, 23.2% and 14.2% the years 2010, 2012, 2016/17 respectively, p=0.023). Homelessness decreased significantly in 2012 compared to 2010 (54,1% vs 34.3%, p=0,004) but a subsequent increase was observed in 2016/17 (34% vs 47.0%, p=0.054). The years 2010, 2012 and 2016/17 the proportion reporting daily drug use significantly decreased (93.6%, 77.3%, 81.1% respectively, p=0.003) while the proportion reporting heroin as main drug substance also decreased significantly (94.5%, 78.8%, 81.1%, respectively p=0.002). However, the percent of the drug users that reported psychiatric problems (20.2%, 38.3%, 45.5%, p<0.001) and HIV infection (0%, 11.8%, 14.4%, p=0.001) increased.
Conclusion: Before the HIV outbreak, a high proportion of drug users belonged to vulnerable populations (refugees, homeless) and reported daily drug use. An ongoing improvement in the drug users profile was observed regarding the risk of HIV, however homelessness remains a significant problem. Drug users who approach low threshold services reflect the population at risk for infectious diseases and differ significantly from those who apply for opioid substitution treatment programs (based on data from EKTEΠΝ on people who apply for opioid substitution treatment programs in 2010, homelessness 54.1% vs 9,3%, immigrants 28,4% vs 6,6%). Active users approaching low threshold services differ from treatment applicants for whom there has been systematic monitoring and recording since 2002. Data from these services are a valuable source of information for drug users who are active and not in treatment programs, therefore reflecting the profile and practices of this population. It is necessary to monitor the characteristics of the specific population and to systematically record them as this is- a severely suffering population using hazardous substances with a high burden of infectious diseases, adopting high risk behaviors and at greater risk of being infected and of transmiting infectious diseases. Monitoring the characteristics of the population is necessary for the design and implementation of appropriate interventions.
Main subject category:
Health Sciences
Keywords:
PWID, Low threshold services, High risk behaviors, HIV, Athens
Index:
No
Number of index pages:
0
Contains images:
Yes
Number of references:
148
Number of pages:
135
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