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The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of physical and/or sexual violence experienced by women who inject drugs (WWID) and identify associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 WWID in a network of harm reduction centres using an anonymous questionnaire. Oral fluid samples were also collected to estimate the prevalence of HIV and hepatitis C. Univariate and multivariate Poisson regression models with robust variance were performed to identify the factors associated with experiencing violence, obtaining prevalence ratios (PR) and their 95% confidence intervals. The results showed that the prevalence of violence reported by WWID in the last 12 months was 45.8% (42.2% physical and 11.9% sexual aggression). In multivariate analysis, variables associated with experiencing violence were homelessness (PR = 1.59; CI: 1.07-2.38), reporting exchanges of sex for money or drugs (PR = 1.65; CI: 1.19-2.29), reporting a previous sexually transmitted infection (PR = 1.49; CI: 1.04-2.15) and/or injecting drugs less frequently than daily (RP = 2.29; CI: 1.49-3.54). This study highlights the importance of establishing detection protocols and systems of referral to the network of attention to women suffering violence, within the centres of the drug addiction care network, as well as the development of multilevel strategies that take into account not only individual factors but also other social and/or structural aspects that may be playing a relevant role in addressing this problem.

OBJECTIVES: This paper aims to estimate the percentage of European men who have sex with men (MSM) who may benefit from pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), applying the three most widely used HIV risk indices for MSM (MSM Risk Index, Menza score, San Diego Early Test (SDET) score) and drawing on a large-scale multisite bio-behavioural survey (Sialon II). METHODS: The Sialon II study was a bio-behavioural survey among MSM implemented in 13 European cities using either time-location sampling or respondent-driven sampling. Biological and behavioural data from 4901 MSM were collected. Only behavioural data of HIV-negative individuals were considered. Three widely used risk indices to assess HIV acquisition risk among MSM were used to estimate individual HIV risk scores and PrEP eligibility criteria. RESULTS: 4219 HIV-negative MSM were considered. Regardless the HIV risk score used and the city, percentages of MSM eligible for PrEP were found to range between 5.19% and 73.84%. Overall, the MSM Risk Index and the Menza score yielded broadly similar percentages, whereas the SDET Index provided estimates constantly lower across all cities. Although all the three scores correlated positively (r>0.6), their concordance was highly variable (0.01

Background: This study aimed to describe the HCV cascade of care among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Catalonia, as well as to compare the observed gaps in care between Spanish-born and migrant PWID. Methods: A cross-sectional study of PWID (N = 410) attending four harm reduction services (HRS) was performed in 2016-17 (HepC detect II Study). Participants were tested for both HCV antibodies (rapid testing) and RNA (from dried blood spot samples). The HCV care cascade was estimated from HCV testing results combined with self-reported data on previous testing, diagnosis and treatment collected through a questionnaire. Logistic regressions were used to test for an association between migration status and the proportions observed in each step of the HCV care cascade adjusting for age, sex, years of injection, homelessness, and treatment for drug dependence. Results: Overall, 85.4% were men and 28.0% were migrants. Among Spanish-born (n = 295) and migrant (n = 115) PWID participants in the study, 96.6% vs. 88.6% had previously been HCV screened (AOR=3.11; 95% CI: 1.11-8.65), 79.3% vs. 80.9% were antibody positive, and 70.7% vs. 67.6% were HCV-RNA positive or cured with treatment; among the latter, 36.6% vs. 18.2% had started treatment (AOR=2.41; 95% CI: 1.09-5.34), and 20.6% vs. 9.1% had been cured by treatment, respectively. Unawareness of having hepatitis C was more common among migrants than Spanish-born PWID (46.0% and 31.5%, respectively; p

Background: In Catalonia (Spain), people who inject drugs (PWID) face numerous barriers to access to mainstream healthcare services for hepatitis C confirmatory diagnosis and treatment, so simplified testing strategies for viremic infection are urgently needed. Among PWID attending harm-reduction services in Catalonia, we aimed (i) to assess the utility of an in-house HCV-RNA detection assay on dried blood spots (DBS) as a one-step screening and confirmatory diagnosis strategy for hepatitis C, (ii) to estimate the prevalence of viremic HCV infection, and (iii) to identify factors associated with unawareness of viremic infection. Methods: A cross-sectional study of current PWID (N = 410) was performed in four harm-reduction services. All participants underwent HCV antibody point-of-care testing and parallel DBS collection for centralized RNA testing. An epidemiological questionnaire was administered. Paired EDTA-plasma samples were additionally collected for HCV viral load testing in 300 participants. Results: HCV-RNA testing from DBS was feasible and showed 97.2% sensitivity and 100% specificity for viral loads > 3000 IU/mL in real-life conditions. No significant differences in the performance when detecting viremic infections were observed between this one-step testing strategy vs. the conventional two-step algorithm involving venepuncture. Overall HCV seroprevalence was 79.8%, and prevalence of viremic infection was 58.5%. Importantly, 35.8% of viremic HCV participants were unaware of their status, and no specific socio-demographic or bio-behavioral factors independently associated with unawareness of viremic infection were identified. Among participants reporting a past or current HCV infection, 29.0% stated having received HCV antiviral treatment. Conclusion: The high viremic HCV infection burden among PWID attending HRS, estimated for the first time in Catalonia, together with the low levels of awareness of viremic status and access to treatment, suggest that scaling up this one-step screening and diagnosis strategy to the network of harm-reduction services would help to achieve HCV elimination targets set by the World Health Organization.

Alternative strategies are required to enhance the diagnosis of silent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in key populations at risk. Among them, HCV prevalence and bio-behavioural data are scarce for HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM) and men and trans-women sex workers. We sought to describe and assess the potential benefits of a community-based one-step HCV screening and confirmatory strategy for these populations in Barcelona. The screening strategy based on a real-time RT-PCR assay for HCV-RNA detection in dried-blood spots (DBS) was validated and implemented in addition to an antibody point-of-care test in a community centre. HCV prevalence was assessed, and bio-behavioural data were collected. The molecular assay was precise, reproducible, sensitive and specific. Four HIV-negative MSM reported being currently infected (0.75% HCV self-reported prevalence). Implementation of DBS testing was easy, and acceptability was >95%, but no silent HCV case was diagnosed (N=580). High-risk sexual practices and drug use for sex were reported frequently. HIV prevalence was 4.7% in MSM and 10% in sex workers. Self-reported prevalence of other STIs ranged from 11.3% to 36.2%. In conclusion, HCV-RNA testing in DBS showed a good performance, but the assessed one-step strategy does not seem beneficial in this setting. Although no silent HCV infections were detected, the observed high-risk behaviours and prevalence of other STIs suggest that HCV spread should be periodically monitored among these populations in Barcelona by means of behavioural surveillance, rapid antibody testing and molecular confirmation in DBS.

Background: Substance use has been consistently reported to be more prevalent amongst Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) compared to the general population. Substance use, in particular polydrug use, has been found to be influenced by social and contextual factors and to increase the risk of unprotected intercourse among MSM. The objective of this analysis was to investigate the prevalence and predictors of drug use during a sexual encounter and to identify specific prevention needs. Methods/design: A multi-site bio-behavioural cross-sectional survey was implemented in 13 European cities, targeting MSM and using Time-Location Sampling and Respondent-Driven Sampling methods Multivariable multi-level logistic random-intercept model (random effect of study site) was estimated to identify factors associated with the use of alcohol, cannabis, party drugs, sexual performance enhancement drugs and chemsex drugs. Results: Overall, 1261 (30.0%) participants reported drug use, and 436 of 3706 (11.8%) reported the use of two or more drugs during their last sexual encounter. By drug class, 966 (23.0%) reported using sexual performance enhancement drugs, 353 (8.4%) - party drugs, and 142 (3.4%) the use of chemsex drugs. Respondents who reported drug use were more frequently diagnosed with HIV (10.5% vs. 3.9%) before and with other STIs during the 12 months prior to the study (16.7% vs. 9.2%). The use of all the analysed substances was significantly associated with sexual encounter with more than one partner. Discussion: Substance and polydrug use during sexual encounters occurred amongst sampled MSM across Europe although varying greatly between study sites. Different local social norms within MSM communities may be important contextual drivers of drug use, highlighting the need for innovative and multi-faceted prevention measures to reduce HIV/STI risk in the context of drug use. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Background and aims: Despite the availability of several drug consumption rooms (DCR) in different European countries few epidemiological studies have evaluated their benefits. A network of DCR for people who inject drugs (PWID) has existed in Catalonia since 2000. We aimed to study the impact of frequently attending DCR on injecting in public, infectious risk (disposal of used syringes in safe places, sharing needles and/or injecting equipment), accessing drug dependence services and non-fatal overdoses. Methods: In 2014-2015, we performed the cross-sectional study REDAN in Catalonia's network of harm reduction centres (needle exchange programs, outreach programs, and DCR). A sample of current PWID were recruited. Self-reported data about risky and other behaviours and about access to care were collected through anonymous face-to-face structured interviews. Oral fluid samples were also collected to test for HIV and HCV antibodies. Multiple logistic regressions were used to assess the impact of frequently attending DCR on the different outcomes. Results: Among the 730 PWID recruited, 510 reported attending DCR in the previous 6 months, of whom 21.2% were 'frequent' attenders. After multiple adjustment, frequent attenders had a 61% lower risk of injecting in public (AOR [95%CI]:0.39[0.18-0.85]) and sharing needles or other injecting equipment (0.39[0.18-0.85]) than 'medium' and 'low' attenders. They were six times more likely to place used syringes in a safe place (6.08[3.62-10.23]) and were twice as likely to access drug dependence services (2.56[1.44-4.55]). No significant effect was found for non-fatal overdoses, perhaps because of survival bias. Conclusion: The multiple benefits found strongly advocate for the maintenance of current DCR and the promotion of new DCR, in conjunction with other harm reduction strategies, in European countries where they are not yet available.

Resumen Objetivo: Adaptar un cuestionario conductual para la vigilancia de segunda generación del VIH/sida en mujeres trabajadoras sexuales (MTS) de la Región Metropolitana, Chile. Métodos: Estudio cualitativo de validación de instrumento. Se validó un cuestionario español adaptado en Cataluña (España) mediante traducción y retrotraducción del instrumento original. La validación de contenido se realizó a través de un grupo Delphi modificado, constituido por expertos en MTS y VIH, representantes de los ámbitos comunitario, político e institucional. Se evaluaron aspectos relacionados con la aplicabilidad del instrumento en terreno, encuestando a MTS de la Región Metropolitana. Resultados: El cuestionario, escrito en español de España, fue satisfactoriamente adaptado al español de Chile. En el proceso de validación de contenido se logró definir las secciones que abordan el VIH en la población MTS. El cuestionario adaptado tiene un tiempo de aplicación de menos de 15 minutos, por lo que es utilizable en terreno. Las 61 mujeres encuestadas presentan características diversas, tanto en país de origen (todas eran latinoamericanas) como en nivel de estudios, lo que permitió captar potenciales problemas en su aplicación. Discusión: El cuestionario adaptado para Chile contiene todos los indicadores para MTS recomendados por ONUSIDA, así como los recomendados por el Familly Health International para la vigilancia bioconductual. El instrumento definitivo emerge como una herramienta para la vigilancia de segunda generación del VIH y otras infecciones de transmisión sexual en Chile, y como un aporte al abordaje de políticas preventivas en la población de MTS. Abstract Objective: To adapt a behavioural questionnaire for second-generation HIV/AIDS surveillance in female sex workers (FSWs) in the Metropolitan Region, Chile. Methods: Qualitative study of instruments validation. A Spanish instrument adapted in Catalonia was validated through a translation and back-translation of the original version. The content validity was determined through a modified Delphi method, via FSW and HIV experts representing community, political and institutional levels. Applicability aspects were determined by the application of the questionnaire to FSW in the Metropolitan Region. Results: The questionnaire, drafted in Spain, was successfully adapted to Chilean Spanish. The content validity process enabled sections to be created that address HIV in FSWs. The adapted questionnaire takes less than 15minutes to complete, which makes it usable in fieldwork. The 61 women surveyed came from different countries (all were Latin Americans) and had different educational levels; all this enabled potential applicability problems to be detected. Discussion: The adapted questionnaire for Chile contains all the UNAIDS indicators for FSWs, as well as the recommended indicators of Family Health International for bio-behavioural surveillance. Said questionnaire serves as a tool for second-generation HIV/other STD surveillance and further contributes to preventive policies in Chilean FSWs.

Background: The objective of this study was to estimate the proportion of undiagnosed HIV or Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and to assess the risk factors associated with an undiagnosed infection. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed among people who inject drugs (PWID) in harm reduction centres in Catalonia, Spain 2008-2012 (n = 2243). Self-report of HIV and HCV was compared to oral fluid tests to calculate the proportion of undiagnosed infection. Associations of undiagnosed HIV and HCV with age, origin, risk and protective factors of infection and services use were calculated using a Poisson regression model with robust variance. Results: The sensitivity of HIV self-report was 78.5% (75.2%-81.5%) and of HCV was 81.2% (79.1%-83.2%), being lower in younger and foreign-born PWID. Specificity for HCV was 55.9% (51.6%-60.1%). PWID who engaged in infection risk behaviors had lower risk of being undiagnosed. Being foreign-born and younger increased the risk of undiagnosed infection. PWID who had not accessed medical care in the last 6 months had 1.46 (1.10-1.93) times more risk of undiagnosed HIV and 1.37 (1.11-1.70) times more risk of undiagnosed HCV. Conclusion: Outreach programmes are essential to provide PWID, specially foreign-born and younger PIWD, access to HIV and HCV test. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Background: People who inject drugs (PWID) are a key population affected by hepatitis C virus (HCV). Treatment options are improving and may enhance prevention; however access for PWID may be poor. The availability in the literature of information on seven main topic areas (incidence, chronicity, genotypes, HIV co-infection, diagnosis and treatment uptake, and burden of disease) to guide HCV treatment and prevention scale-up for PWID in the 27 countries of the European Union is systematically reviewed. Methods and Findings: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library for publications between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2012, with a search strategy of general keywords regarding viral hepatitis, substance abuse and geographic scope, as well as topic-specific keywords. Additional articles were found through structured email consultations with a large European expert network. Data availability was highly variable and important limitations existed in comparability and representativeness. Nine of 27 countries had data on HCV incidence among PWID, which was often high (2.7-66/100 person-years, median 13, Interquartile range (IQR) 8.7-28). Most common HCV genotypes were G1 and G3; however, G4 may be increasing, while the proportion of traditionally 'difficult to treat' genotypes (G1+G4) showed large variation (median 53, IQR 43-62). Twelve countries reported on HCV chronicity (median 72, IQR 64-81) and 22 on HIV prevalence in HCV-infected PWID (median 3.9%, IQR 0.2-28). Undiagnosed infection, assessed in five countries, was high (median 49%, IQR 38-64), while of those diagnosed, the proportion entering treatment was low (median 9.5%, IQR 3.5-15). Burden of disease, where assessed, was high and will rise in the next decade. Conclusion: Key data on HCV epidemiology, care and disease burden among PWID in Europe are sparse but suggest many undiagnosed infections and poor treatment uptake. Stronger efforts are needed to improve data availability to guide an increase in HCV treatment among PWID., peer-reviewed

Objetivos: Estimar la prevalencia de las prácticas de riesgo directas e indirectas relacionadas con la inyección de drogas e identificar los factores asociados en los usuarios de drogas por vía parenteral (UDVP) en centros de reducción de daños en Cataluña. Métodos: Estudio transversal realizado entre 2008 y 2009 en centros de reducción de daños. La información conductual se recogió mediante un cuestionario anónimo administrado por entrevistadores previamente formados. Resultados: De los 748 entrevistados, el 31,5% compartió jeringas usadas en los últimos 6 meses y el 55,2% compartió la cuchara, el agua o el filtro, o realizó el front/backloading con jeringas usadas. Los UDVP que se inyectan diariamente (odds ratio [OR]=1,5), se inyectan cocaína (OR=1,6), obtienen menos jeringas gratuitas (OR=2,5 menos de la mitad a ninguna), tienen una pareja sexual UDVP (OR=1,8) y comparten indirectamente (OR=4,1) presentaron una mayor probabilidad de haber compartido jeringas. Por otro lado, tener una fuente de ingresos ilegal (OR=1,5), inyectarse diariamente (OR=1, 5), inyectarse cocaína (OR=1,4), haber compartido jeringas (OR=3,9) y haber tenido alguna sobredosis en la vida (OR=1,5) fueron factores asociados a compartir de forma indirecta. Conclusiones: A pesar de la generalización de los programas de reducción de daños, en Cataluña se mantiene un porcentaje de UDVP que realizan conductas de riesgo relacionadas con la inyección. Sería necesario mejorar el acceso a todo el material estéril de inyección, en especial entre los que se inyectan cocaína y los que se inyectan con mayor frecuencia, e incluir también a las parejas sexuales UDVP en estas intervenciones preventivas. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of direct and indirect syringe sharing among intravenous drug users (IDUs) attending a harm reduction center in Catalonia (Spain) and to identify factors associated with risk behaviors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 2008 and 2009 in harm reduction centers. Behavioral data were collected using anonymous questionnaires administered by trained interviewers. Results: Of the 748 respondents, 31.5% had shared syringes at least once in the previous 6 months and 55.2% reported sharing injection paraphernalia (spoons, water, filters). A higher risk of syringe sharing was found among IDUs who injected daily (OR=1.5), injected cocaine (OR=1.6), had less than half their supply of syringes from a free source (OR=2.5), had an IDU sexual partner (OR=1.8) or who reported indirect sharing (OR=4.1). A higher risk of indirect sharing was found in respondents who had an illegal source of income (OR=1.5), injected daily (OR=1, 5), injected cocaine (OR=1.4), reported sharing syringes (OR=3.9), or who reported a previous overdose (OR=1.5). Conclusions: Despite the widespread use of harm reduction programs in Catalonia, a significant proportion of IDUs continue to practise injection-related risk behaviors. Further reductions in risk behaviors could be achieved by improving access to all sterile injecting equipment, especially among cocaine injectors and IDUs who inject frequently, and by including IDU sexual partners within the current network of harm reduction centers.

Vacunas; COVID-19; Escuelas Vaccines; COVID-19; Schools Vacunes; COVID-19; Escoles Vaccine hesitancy is defined as a delay in acceptance of vaccines despite its availability, caused by many determinants. Our study presents the key reasons, determinants and characteristics associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptability among students over 16 years and parents of students under 16 years and describe the COVID-19 vaccination among students in the settings of sentinel schools of Catalonia, Spain. This is a cross-sectional study that includes 3,383 students and the parents between October 2021 and January 2022. We describe the student’s vaccination status and proceed a univariate and multivariate analysis using a Deletion Substitution Addition (DSA) machine learning algorithm. Vaccination against COVID-19 reached 70.8% in students under 16 years and 95.8% in students over 16 years at the end of the study project. The acceptability among unvaccinated students was 40.9% and 20.8% in October and January, respectively, and among parents was proportionally higher among students aged 5–11 (70.2%) in October and aged 3–4 (47.8%) in January. The key reason to not vaccinate themselves, or their children, were concern about side effects, insufficient research about the effect of the vaccine in children, rapid development of vaccines, necessity for more information and previous infection by SARS-CoV-2. Several variables were associated with refusal end hesitancy. For students, the main ones were risk perception and use of alternative therapies. For parents, the age of students, sociodemographic variables, socioeconomic impact related to the pandemic, and use of alternative therapies were more evident. Monitoring vaccine acceptance and refusal among children and their parents has been important to understand the interaction between different multilevel determinants and we hope it will be useful to improve public health strategies for future interventions in this population. This work was supported by the Health Department of the Government of Catalonia with no grant number. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. FG, AB, LA and AC received a salary from the abovementioned funder.

Profilaxi PreExposició; VIH; Treball sexual Profilaxis PreExposición; VIH; Trabajo sexual Preexposure Prophylaxis; HIV; Sex work Aquest estudi descriu el nivell de coneixement de la profilaxi preexposició (PrEP) ─el nou tractament per a la prevenció del VIH─ i la intenció d’utilitzar-la en homes cisgènere (HTS) i dones transgènere (TTS) que exerceixen el treball sexual a Catalunya (estudi SexCohort). Del total de 116 TTS i 79 HTS participants, el 49,1% i el 58,2% coneixien què era la PrEP, i el 40,3% i el 70,1%, respectivament, tenien intenció d’utilitzar-la. El nivell educatiu i haver tingut relacions sexuals sense preservatiu amb parelles estables estaven associats amb el coneixement de la PrEP. Pel que fa a la intenció d’utilitzar la PrEP, les TTS tenien menys probabilitats que els HTS d’informar de la intenció d’utilitzarla. A més, la intenció d’utilitzar la PrEP es va associar amb el fet de d’haver nascut a l’estranger, amb el consum sexualitzat de drogues i el fet d’haver visitat un servei sanitari en els darrers 12 mesos.

COVID-19; Medical risk factors; Virus testing COVID-19; Factors de risc mèdics; Test de virus COVID-19; Factores de riesgo médicos; Test de virus The Sentinel Schools project was designed to monitor and evaluate the epidemiology of COVID-19 in Catalonia, gathering evidence for health and education policies to inform the development of health protocols and public health interventions to control of SARS-CoV-2 infection in schools. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections and to identify their determinants among students and staff during February to June in the academic year 2020–2021. We performed two complementary studies, a cross-sectional and a longitudinal component, using a questionnaire to collect nominal data and testing for SARS-CoV-2 detection. We describe the results and perform a univariate and multivariate analysis. The initial crude seroprevalence was 14.8% (95% CI: 13.1–16.5) and 22% (95% CI: 18.3–25.8) for students and staff respectively, and the active infection prevalence was 0.7% (95% CI: 0.3–1) and 1.1% (95% CI: 0.1–2). The overall incidence for persons at risk was 2.73 per 100 person-month and 2.89 and 2.34 per 100 person-month for students and staff, respectively. Socioeconomic, self-reported knowledge, risk perceptions and contact pattern variables were positively associated with the outcome while sanitary measure compliance was negatively associated, the same significance trend was observed in multivariate analysis. In the longitudinal component, epidemiological close contact with SARS-CoV-2 infection was a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection while the highest socioeconomic status level was protective as was compliance with sanitary measures. The small number of active cases detected in these schools suggests a low transmission among children in school and the efficacy of public health measures implemented, at least in the epidemiological scenario of the study period. The major contribution of this study was to provide results and evidence that help analyze the transmission dynamic of SARS-CoV-2 and evaluate the associations between sanitary protocols implemented, and measures to avoid SARS-CoV-2 spread in schools.

Hepatitis C; Dones; Drogues; Violència Hepatitis C; Mujeres; Drogas; Violencia Hepatitis C; Women; Drugs; Violence El objetivo de este estudio fue describir la prevalencia de violencia física y/o sexual experimentada por mujeres que usan drogas por vía inyectada (MUDVI) e identificar factores asociados. Se realizó un estudio transversal en 120 MUDVI usuarias de centros de reducción de daños mediante un cuestionario anónimo y recogida de muestras de fluido oral para estimar la prevalencia del VIH y de la hepatitis C. Los factores asociados a la presencia de violencia se analizaron mediante un modelo de regresión de Poisson con varianza robusta univariante y multivariante, obteniendo razones de prevalencia (RP) y sus intervalos de confianza al 95%. Los resultados muestran que la prevalencia de agresiones en los últimos 12 meses fue del 45,8% (42,2% agresiones físicas y 11,9% agresiones sexuales). A nivel multivariante, las variables asociadas a la presencia de violencia fueron estar sin domicilio fijo (RP=1,59; IC: 1,07-2,38), ejercer el trabajo sexual (RP=1,65; IC: 1,19-2,29), haber sufrido alguna infección de transmisión sexual (RP=1,49; IC: 1,04-2,15) y/o inyectarse drogas no de forma diaria (RP=2,29; IC: 1,49-3,54). Este estudio pone de manifiesto la importancia de establecer protocolos de detección, y derivación a la red de atención a la violencia de género, dentro de los centros de la red de atención a las drogodependencias, así como el desarrollo de estrategias multinivel que tengan en cuenta no solamente factores individuales sino también otros aspectos sociales y/o estructurales que pueden estar jugando un papel relevante a la hora de abordar este problema. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of physical and/ or sexual violence experienced by women who inject drugs (WWID) and identify associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 WWID in a network of harm reduction centres using an anonymous questionnaire. Oral fluid samples were also collected to estimate the prevalence of HIV and hepatitis C. Univariate and multivariate Poisson regression models with robust variance were performed to identify the factors associated with experiencing violence, obtaining prevalence ratios (PR) and their 95% confidence intervals. The results showed that the prevalence of violence reported by WWID in the last 12 months was 45.8% (42.2% physical and 11.9% sexual aggression). In multivariate analysis, variables associated with experiencing violence were homelessness (PR = 1.59; CI: 1.07-2.38), reporting exchanges of sex for money or drugs (PR = 1.65; CI: 1.19- 2.29), reporting a previous sexually transmitted infection (PR = 1.49; CI: 1.04-2.15) and/or injecting drugs less frequently than daily (RP = 2.29; CI: 1.49-3.54). This study highlights the importance of establishing detection protocols and systems of referral to the network of attention to women suffering violence, within the centres of the drug addiction care network, as well as the development of multilevel strategies that take into account not only individual factors but also other social and/or structural aspects that may be playing a relevant role in addressing this problem.

Programas de reducción de daños; Inyectores de drogas; Inmigrante; Heroína Harm reduction programs; Injected drug user; Immigrant; Heroin. Programes de reducció de danys; Injectors de drogues; Immigrant; Heroïna El objetivo del estudio era describir los patrones de abuso de drogas ilegales en relación con el proceso migratorio y el uso de centros de tratamiento entre los usuarios de drogas por vía inyectada (IDUs) de los programas de reducción de daños, y comparar las características de los IDUs nativos e inmigrantes. Estudio de diseño transversal de 748 IDUs de más de 18 años que fueron atendidos en los centros de reducción de daños entre 2008 y 2009. Se exploraron las diferencias en las condiciones socioeconómicas, de consumo de drogas ilegales, de estado de salud y de uso de los centros de tratamiento de drogas entre los IDUs nativos y los inmigrantes. Además, también se ha descrito si los IDUs inmigrantes empezaron a inyectarse drogas ilegales antes o después de entrar en el país de acogida. Los IDUs inmigrantes tienden a vivir solos más frecuentemente, a empezar la inyección a edad más avanzada, a usar heroína inyectada más frecuentemente y a usar menos los centros de tratamiento de drogas que los nativos. Un 66% de los inmigrantes empezaron a usar drogas ilegales antes de llegar al país de acogida. Los que empezaron en otros países llevaban 5 o menos años residiendo en el país de acogida (63,9%). En general, los IDUs inmigrantes (36,9%) frecuentaban menos los centros de tratamiento de drogas que los nativos (71,8%). En conclusión, la migración podría ser un factor de riesgo para la iniciación en el abuso de las drogas ilegales o el aumento de su consumo, a menudo adoptando los patrones de consumo local y agravándose debido al menor acceso a los centros de tratamiento de drogas. The aims of this study were to describe illegal drug abuse patterns in relation to the migration process and use of drug treatment centers among immigrant injected drug users (IDUs) involved in harm reduction programs, and to compare the characteristics of immigrant and native IDUs. Cross-sectional study of 748 IDUs aged ≥18 years attending harm reduction centers between 2008 and 2009. We explored differences in socio-economic status, illegal drug consumption, health status and use of treatment centers in native versus immigrant IDUs. We also described whether immigrant IDUs started using injected drugs before or after entering the host country. Immigrant IDUs tend to live alone more frequently, start injection at later ages, use heroin and inject it more frequently and use drug treatment centers less frequently than native IDUs. Seventy-six percent of immigrants began using illegal drugs before arriving at the host country. Those who started in other countries were residing in the host country for 5 years or less (63.9%). Overall, immigrant IDUs attended drug treatment centers (36.9%) less frequently than native IDUs (71.8%). In conclusion, migration could be a risk factor for illegal drug abuse initiation or increase in consumption, often with the adoption of local consumption patterns and aggravated due to a lower access to drug treatment centers. The study was supported by the following: Direcció General de Salut Pública, Departament de Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya; Subdirecció General de Drogodependències, Departament de Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya; Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca - AGAUR (2005/SGR/00505), Departament d’Universitats, Recerca i Societat de la Informació, de la Generalitat de Catalunya; and Red de Trastornos Adictivos [RD06/0001/1018] & [RD12/0028/0018].

Injecció de drogues; VIH; Centres de reducció de danys Inyección de drogas; VIH; Centros de reducción de daños Drug injection; VIH; Harm reduction centers Objetivos: Estimar la prevalencia de las prácticas de riesgo directas e indirectas relacionadas con la inyección de drogas e identificar los factores asociados en los usuarios de drogas por vía parenteral (UDVP) en centros de reducción de daños en Cataluña. Métodos: Estudio transversal realizado entre 2008 y 2009 en centros de reducción de daños. La información conductual se recogió mediante un cuestionario anónimo administrado por entrevistadores previamente formados. Resultados: De los 748 entrevistados, el 31,5% compartió jeringas usadas en los últimos 6 meses y el 55,2% compartió la cuchara, el agua o el filtro, o realizó el front/backloading con jeringas usadas. Los UDVP que se inyectan diariamente (odds ratio [OR] = 1,5), se inyectan cocaína (OR = 1,6), obtienen menos jeringas gratuitas (OR = 2,5 menos de la mitad a ninguna), tienen una pareja sexual UDVP (OR = 1,8) y comparten indirectamente (OR = 4,1) presentaron una mayor probabilidad de haber compartido jeringas. Por otro lado, tener una fuente de ingresos ilegal (OR = 1,5), inyectarse diariamente (OR = 1, 5), inyectarse cocaína (OR = 1,4), haber compartido jeringas (OR = 3,9) y haber tenido alguna sobredosis en la vida (OR = 1,5) fueron factores asociados a compartir de forma indirecta. Conclusiones: A pesar de la generalización de los programas de reducción de danos, en Cataluña se mantiene un porcentaje de UDVP que realizan conductas de riesgo relacionadas con la inyección. Sería necesario mejorar el acceso a todo el material estéril de inyección, en especial entre los que se inyectan cocaína y los que se inyectan con mayor frecuencia, e incluir también a las parejas sexuales UDVP en estas intervenciones preventivas. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of direct and indirect syringe sharing among intravenous drug users (IDUs) attending a harm reduction center in Catalonia (Spain) and to identify factors associated with risk behaviors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 2008 and 2009 in harm reduction centers. Behavioral data were collected using anonymous questionnaires administered by trained interviewers. Results: Of the 748 respondents, 31.5% had shared syringes at least once in the previous 6 months and 55.2% reported sharing injection paraphernalia (spoons, water, filters). A higher risk of syringe sharing was found among IDUs who injected daily (OR = 1.5), injected cocaine (OR = 1.6), had less than half their supply of syringes from a free source (OR = 2.5), had an IDU sexual partner (OR = 1.8) or who reported indirect sharing (OR = 4.1). A higher risk of indirect sharing was found in respondents who had an illegal source of income (OR = 1.5), injected daily (OR = 1, 5), injected cocaine (OR = 1.4), reported sharing syringes (OR = 3.9), or who reported a previous overdose (OR = 1.5). Conclusions: Despite the widespread use of harm reduction programs in Catalonia, a significant proportion of IDUs continue to practise injection-related risk behaviors. Further reductions in risk behaviors could be achieved by improving access to all sterile injecting equipment, especially among cocaine injectors and IDUs who inject frequently, and by including IDU sexual partners within the current network of harm reduction centers. Direcció General de Salut Pública, Departament de Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya; Subdirecció General de Drogodependències, Departament de Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya; Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca - AGAUR (2005/SGR/00505), Departament d’Universitats, Recerca i Societat de la Informació, de la Generalitat de Catalunya; y Red de Trastornos Adictivos [RD06/0001/1018].

VIH; Prova diagnòstica; Monitoratge HIV; Diagnostic test; Monitoring Prueba diagnóstica; Monitorización En aquest article es descriu la xarxa de monitoratge de les proves de detecció del VIH i es presenten els resultats obtinguts. En este artículo se describe la red de monitoreo de las pruebas de detección del VIH y se presentan los resultados obtenidos. In this article the monitoring network of diagnostic tests is described and the results obtained shown.