The purpose of this prospective study is to identify risk factors for transition into injection drug use among young adult non-injection drug users (heroin, crack/cocaine users) in New York City. Extensive data has shown that injection drug use is a substantially higher drug-using health risk practice than non-injection primarily due to transmission of blood-borne infectious disease, psychiatric co-morbidity, and other social consequences. Risk factors for illicit drug use have been studied; however, data specifically on transition into the practice of injection remain sparse. Researchers now suggest that determining the effects of the social environment such as social networks and social support on transition into injection as the next step in advancing our knowledge of both injection drug use and injection-related health consequences. For example, while research has shown whites (and according to some studies, Hispanics) as being more likely to use illicit drugs, and to begin use at a younger age than their black counterparts, black and Hispanic drug users are more likely to burden higher rates of infectious disease compared to white drug users. These racial/ethnic differences support the study of social context and how factors that characterize this context may change over time (i.e. from pre-transition to transition). Research has indicated social networks as a viable method of disseminating health-related information lending to additional public health impact resulting from this line of research. Thus, providing a better understanding of ones' social network/support can lead to public health strategies that target social networks. In this proposed study, we will determine the effect of social networks/social support characteristics (e.g. race/ethnicity of index and network members, drug use norms, network size/composition, and economic, informational and emotional support) on: 1) transition into injection, 2) age at transition, and 3) early sex/drug-risk behavior following transition. Data will be obtained from: (1) a prospective study with 2 years of follow-up among 800 non-IDUs, aged 18-35; and (2) a cross-sectional survey among 400 recent onset IDUs, injecting <=2 years, aged 18-35. The study involves targeted and respondent driven sampling methodology of drug users across NYC. The baseline and cross-sectional surveys will include a four-year sociobehavioral review that will capture 2-3 years prior to transition into injection among IDUs that can be compared to the corresponding calendar period in non-IDUs. This study will include analyses for case-control (new IDU cases/non-IDU controls), cross-sectional (new IDUs), and prospective (non-IDUs) designs. Logistic regression analyses and marginal models will be constructed using generalized estimating equations to account for potential intra-class correlation of repeated measures within an individual over time.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DA019964-03
Application #
7272685
Study Section
Community Influences on Health Behavior (CIHB)
Program Officer
Lambert, Elizabeth
Project Start
2005-09-30
Project End
2010-07-31
Budget Start
2007-08-01
Budget End
2008-07-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2007
Total Cost
$448,410
Indirect Cost
Name
Columbia University (N.Y.)
Department
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
621889815
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10032
Crawford, Natalie D; Ford, Chandra; Rudolph, Abby et al. (2017) Drug use Discrimination Predicts Formation of High-Risk Social Networks: Examining Social Pathways of Discrimination. AIDS Behav 21:2659-2669
Rudolph, Abby E; Crawford, Natalie D; Latkin, Carl et al. (2017) Multiplex Relationships and HIV: Implications for Network-Based Interventions. AIDS Behav 21:1219-1227
Rudolph, Abby E; Young, April M; Lewis, Crystal Fuller (2015) Assessing the geographic coverage and spatial clustering of illicit drug users recruited through respondent-driven sampling in New York City. J Urban Health 92:352-78
Crawford, Natalie D; Galea, Sandro; Ford, Chandra L et al. (2014) The relationship between discrimination and high-risk social ties by race/ethnicity: examining social pathways of HIV risk. J Urban Health 91:151-61
Turner, Alezandria K; Jones, Kandice C; Rudolph, Abby et al. (2014) Physical victimization and high-risk sexual partners among illicit drug-using heterosexual men in New York City. J Urban Health 91:957-68
Crawford, Natalie D; White, Kellee; Rudolph, Abby E et al. (2014) The Relationship Between Multiple Forms of Discrimination, Neighborhood Characteristics, and Depression Among Illicit Drug Users in New York City. J Drug Issues 44:197-211
Crawford, Natalie D; Borrell, Luisa N; Galea, Sandro et al. (2013) The influence of neighborhood characteristics on the relationship between discrimination and increased drug-using social ties among illicit drug users. J Community Health 38:328-37
White, Kellee; Rudolph, Abby E; Jones, Kandice C et al. (2013) Social and individual risk determinants of HIV testing practices among noninjection drug users at high risk for HIV/AIDS. AIDS Care 25:230-8
Crawford, Natalie D; Rudolph, Abby E; Fuller, Crystal M (2013) Racial/Ethnic Differences in Recent Drug Detoxification Enrollment and the Role of Discrimination and Neighborhood Factors. Subst Use Misuse :
Sapra, Katherine J; Crawford, Natalie D; Rudolph, Abby E et al. (2013) Social network members' roles and use of mental health services among drug users in New York City. J Behav Health Serv Res 40:476-87

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