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Prevalence and factors associated with hospitalisation for bacterial skin infections among people who inject drugs: The ETHOS Engage Study

Authors :
Alice Wheeler
Heather Valerio
Evan B. Cunningham
Marianne Martinello
Joshua A. Barocas
Samantha Colledge-Frisby
Carla Treloar
Janaki Amin
Charles Henderson
Phillip Read
Gail V. Matthews
Adrian J. Dunlop
Carla Gorton
Jeremy Hayllar
Maryam Alavi
Carolyn Murray
Phillipa Marks
David Silk
Louisa Degenhardt
Gregory J. Dore
Jason Grebely
Source :
Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 237:109543
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
Elsevier BV, 2022.

Abstract

Injecting-related skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are a preventable cause of inpatient hospitalisation among people who inject drugs (PWID). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hospitalisation for SSTIs among PWID, and identify similarities and differences in factors associated with hospitalisation for SSTIs versus non-bacterial harms related to injecting drug use.We performed cross-sectional analyses of baseline data from an observational cohort study of PWID attending drug treatment clinics and needle and syringe programs in Australia. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with self-reported hospitalisation for (1) SSTIs (abscess and/or cellulitis), and (2) non-bacterial harms related to injecting drug use (e.g., non-fatal overdose; hereafter referred to as non-bacterial harms), both together and separately.1851 participants who injected drugs in the previous six months were enrolled (67% male; 85% injected in the past month; 42% receiving opioid agonist treatment [OAT]). In the previous year, 40% (n = 737) had been hospitalised for drug-related causes: 20% (n = 377) and 29% (n = 528) of participants were admitted to hospital for an SSTI and non-bacterial harm, respectively. Participants who were female (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.19-1.97) or homeless (aOR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.16-2.19) were more likely to be hospitalised for an SSTI, but not a non-bacterial harm. Both types of hospitalisation were more likely among people recently released from prison.Hospitalisation for SSTIs is common among PWID. Community-based interventions to prevent SSTIs and subsequent hospitalisation among PWID will require targeting of at-risk groups, including women, people experiencing homelessness, and incarcerated people upon prison release.

Details

ISSN :
03768716
Volume :
237
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....8321984bbbdd028944cfc1b90f0358ac
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109543