Psychosocial factors explaining drug users’ intention to use a new syringe at each injection

Abstract

Beyond the risk of HIV and HVC transmission associated with needle sharing, re-using one's own syringe constitutes an additional risk for injection drug users (IDUs). This practice can lead to serious infections such as cellulitis and endocarditis. In order better to target interventions promoting the adoption of this behaviour, this study attempts to identify factors associated with IDUs’ intention always to use a new syringe. The Theory of Planned Behaviour was applied in the development of the questionnaire administered to 117 IDUs during an interview. Over a period of 1 week, 35.7% of respondents failed to consistently use new syringes and only 39% of the entire sample indicated a firm intention to adopt this behaviour. A regression analysis demonstrated that perceived behavioural control and attitude predicted intention. Results indicate that interventions should serve primarily to help IDUs recognize the advantages of adopting this behaviour and develop skills to overcome certain obstacles.

• IDU
• syringes
• needle exchange program
• Theory of Planned Behaviour