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AIDS and Behavior
Published in: AIDS and Behavior 10/2021

01-10-2021 | Human Immunodeficiency Virus | Original Paper

Syringe Coverage Among People Who Inject Drugs in West Virginia, USA

Authors: Sean T. Allen, Rebecca Hamilton White, Allison O’Rourke, Kristin E. Schneider, Brian W. Weir, Gregory M. Lucas, Michael E. Kilkenny, Susan G. Sherman

Published in: AIDS and Behavior | Issue 10/2021

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Abstract

Ensuring people who inject drugs (PWID) have ≥ 100% sterile syringe coverage (i.e., persons have access to a sterile syringe for all injections) is optimal for HIV prevention. Existing syringe coverage literature is informative, yet little work has examined syringe coverage among PWID in rural communities. Using data from a 2018 PWID population estimation study conducted in a rural county in West Virginia, we used logistic regression to identify correlates of adequate sterile syringe coverage (at least 100%). A minority (37%) of PWID reported having adequate syringe coverage. Factors inversely associated with adequate syringe coverage included having recently (past 6 months): engaged in transactional sex work, shared syringes, and injected fentanyl. Having exclusively acquired syringes from a syringe services program was associated with increased odds of adequate syringe coverage. Rural PWID may benefit from tailored interventions designed to increase sterile syringe access.
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Metadata
Title
Syringe Coverage Among People Who Inject Drugs in West Virginia, USA
Authors
Sean T. Allen
Rebecca Hamilton White
Allison O’Rourke
Kristin E. Schneider
Brian W. Weir
Gregory M. Lucas
Michael E. Kilkenny
Susan G. Sherman
Publication date
01-10-2021
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
AIDS and Behavior / Issue 10/2021
Print ISSN: 1090-7165
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3254
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-021-03247-3

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