Injection and non-injection drug use related to social exclusion indicators in two Andalusian cities

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe patterns of heroin and cocaine consumption in socially excluded drug users, and to identify factors associated with intravenous drug use.Methodology: The sample was made up of 391 participants, and the interviews were carried out at different meeting points of the target population in the cities of Granada and Seville. The data were collected using a structured interview which covered HIV risk infection and intravenous drug use, social factors, marginality, health and quality of life. For the interviews, peer driven intervention was used. The statistical analysis consisted of descriptive analysis and binary logistic regression.Results: Health and social indicators show a high incidence of self-reported infectious diseases, poor mental health, criminality, and early onset of heroin and cocaine use. Granada had a greater number of injectors than Seville. Having an intimate partner who injects, having been in prison, and homelessness all tended to increase the probability of injecting. Younger people, women, and those who had begun to use drugs later were less likely to use drugs intravenously.Conclusions: Although we cannot measure the chronological development association of these variables in this study, it offers a profile description of those people who continue using intravenous drugs, and indicates the possible barriers to social and employment integration of this population.