Correlates of Recent Nonfatal Overdose Among People Who Inject Drugs in West Virginia

Overview

Journal Harm Reduct J

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialties Pharmacology
Psychiatry

Date 2021 Feb 19

PMID 33602226

Citations 3

Authors

N Jia Ahmad

Sean T Allen

Rebecca Hamilton White

Kristin E Schneider

Allison ORourke

Michelle Perdue

Charles Babcock

Michael E Kilkenny

Susan G Sherman

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Aim: Experiencing a nonfatal overdose (NFOD) is a significant risk factor for a subsequent nonfatal or fatal overdose. Overdose mortality rates in rural Appalachian states are some of the highest in the USA, but little is known about correlates of overdose among rural populations of people who inject drugs (PWID). Our study aimed to identify correlates of experiencing a recent (past 6 months) NFOD among rural PWID in Cabell County, West Virginia.

Methods: Using data from a June-July 2018 cross-sectional survey that was designed to estimate the size and characteristics of the PWID population in Cabell County, West Virginia, we used log binomial regression to identify correlates (e.g., structural vulnerabilities and substance use) of NFOD in the past 6 months.

Results: The majority of our sample of 420 PWID were male (61.2%), White, non-Hispanic (83.6%), and reported recent heroin injection (81.0%). More than two-fifths (42.6%) experienced a recent NFOD. Independent correlates of NFOD included witnessing an overdose in the past 6 months (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 2.28; 95% CI 1.48-3.50), attempting to quit using drugs in the past 6 months (aPR = 1.54; 95% CI 1.11-2.14), and the number of drugs injected (aPR = 1.16; 95% CI 1.10-1.23) CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of rural PWID in Appalachia reported having recently overdosed. The associations between witnessing an overdose, attempting to quit using drugs, and number of drugs injected with recent nonfatal overdose underscore the need for expanded access to overdose prevention resources that are tailored to the needs of this population. Expanding access to evidence-based overdose prevention strategies-such as take-home naloxone programs, treatment with methadone or buprenorphine, and harm reduction services-may decrease overdose morbidity and mortality among rural PWID in Appalachia.

Citing Articles

Violence Exposure, Mental Distress, Substance Use Behaviors, and Overdose Experiences Among People who Inject Drugs.

Otachi J, Thrasher S, Surratt H J Soc Work Pract Addict. 2024; 24(3):270-282.

PMID: 39474319 PMC: 11521365. DOI: 10.1080/1533256x.2023.2164969.

Loneliness and fearfulness are associated with non-fatal drug overdose among people who inject drugs.

Falade-Nwulia O, Ward K, Wagner K, Karimi-Sari H, Hsu J, Sulkowski M PLoS One. 2024; 19(2):e0297209.

PMID: 38381763 PMC: 10880973. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297209.

Structural and community changes during COVID-19 and their effects on overdose precursors among rural people who use drugs: a mixed-methods analysis.

Walters S, Bolinski R, Almirol E, Grundy S, Fletcher S, Schneider J Addict Sci Clin Pract. 2022; 17(1):24.

PMID: 35468860 PMC: 9037978. DOI: 10.1186/s13722-022-00303-8.

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