Low Autonomy in Injecting is a Risk Factor for Sharing Injecting Equipment

Abstract

Injecting and sharing injecting equipment are social activities for many injecting drug users (IDUs), yet many vary in the extent that they perform them autonomously. This study tested the hypothesis that greater autonomy within injecting episodes leads to reduced probability of sharing needles, syringes and other types of injecting equipment in these episodes. A community sample of 181 IDUs from two cities in Southern England participated in an interview which utilised both fully structured and semistructured components and the Severity of Dependence Scale. Lower autonomy within an injecting sequence was significantly associated with receiving (rather than passing on) needles and syringes, spoons, water, and filters late in the sequence. Sharing was associated with higher dependence but dependence and injecting autonomy were not significantly related. The finding that low autonomy over injection-related activities is a major risk factor for sharing has implications for preventive work with individuals, couples, and communities.

Key Words:

• injecting drug users
• sharing
• injecting equipment
• autonomy
• AIDS