Abstract
We examined correlates of ever injecting drugs in Mexico among residents of San Diego, California. From 2007 to 2010, injecting
drug users (IDUs) in San Diego underwent an interviewer-administered survey. Logistic regression identified correlates of
injection drug use in Mexico. Of 302 IDUs, 38% were Hispanic, 72% male and median age was 37; 27% ever injected in Mexico;
43% reported distributive syringe sharing there. Factors independently associated with ever injecting drugs in Mexico included
being younger at first injection, injecting heroin, distributive syringe sharing at least half of the time, and transporting
drugs over the last 6 months. One-quarter of IDUs reported ever injecting drugs in Mexico, among whom syringe sharing was
common, suggesting possible mixing between IDUs in the Mexico-US border region. Prospective studies should monitor trends
in cross-border drug use in light of recent Mexican drug policy reforms partially decriminalizing drug possession.
drug users (IDUs) in San Diego underwent an interviewer-administered survey. Logistic regression identified correlates of
injection drug use in Mexico. Of 302 IDUs, 38% were Hispanic, 72% male and median age was 37; 27% ever injected in Mexico;
43% reported distributive syringe sharing there. Factors independently associated with ever injecting drugs in Mexico included
being younger at first injection, injecting heroin, distributive syringe sharing at least half of the time, and transporting
drugs over the last 6 months. One-quarter of IDUs reported ever injecting drugs in Mexico, among whom syringe sharing was
common, suggesting possible mixing between IDUs in the Mexico-US border region. Prospective studies should monitor trends
in cross-border drug use in light of recent Mexican drug policy reforms partially decriminalizing drug possession.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-6
- DOI 10.1007/s10903-011-9462-9
- Authors
- Tyson Volkmann, Division of Global Public Health, San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA USA
- Sanghyuk S. Shin, Division of Global Public Health, San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA USA
- Richard S. Garfein, Division of Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA USA
- Thomas L. Patterson, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA USA
- Robin A. Pollini, Division of Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA USA
- Karla D. Wagner, Division of Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA USA
- Irina Artamanova, Division of Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA USA
- Steffanie A. Strathdee, Division of Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA USA
- Journal Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
- Online ISSN 1557-1920
- Print ISSN 1557-1912