NCJ Number
214665
Journal
Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 15 Issue: 4 Dated: 2006 Pages: 89-104
Date Published
2006
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study explored the influence of hepatitis C threat on the decision of injecting drug users to change to noninjecting methods of drug delivery.
Abstract
Results indicated that the threat of hepatitis C was not considered influential in the decision of injection drug users to cease injecting. Personal choice was sited as the reason for ceasing injection methods of drug delivery. The findings brought to light the lack of knowledge concerning hepatitis C, which has implications for harm reduction campaigns. Raising awareness of the transmissibility of the virus may heighten the threat of personal susceptibility. In light of the findings, hepatitis C campaigns should focus on minimizing the risk of injecting since the decision to cease injecting is unlikely to be based on persuasion. Participants included 150 intravenous drug injectors recruited through snowball sampling who completed an extensive, structured questionnaire that focused on sociodemographic circumstances, drug use, and injecting attitudes and trends. Data analysis was completed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and included the calculation of descriptive statistics. Tables, notes, references