This application is a request for a Scientist Development Award for Clinicians (K20) from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). My commitment to a research career combined with my training in Infectious Disease, Public Health, HIV, and my interest in studying drug abuse make the K20 from NIDA an ideal funding mechanism for me at this stage in my career. It granted this award, I expect to learn how to independently design, implement and analyze epidemiologic and interventional studies in the overlapping field of drug abuse and infectious diseases. I plan to work closely with two accomplished preceptors, Dr. David Vlahov, from the Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, and Dr. Robert Swift, from Brown University, both of whom have expertise in the epidemiology of substance abuse and treatment. I will participate in the Fellowship Program and other activities at the Brown University Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, and in activities at the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health and attend two national meetings involving substance abuse. The proposed research project will study utilization and outcome of injection drug-using women, with respect to participation in a Needle Exchange Program. Women with active injection drug use will be recruited from the only prison in Rhode Island, the Adult Correctional Institution (ACI), where I have been working part-time. Women will also be recruited from the ongoing longitudinal HIV Epidemiology Research Study (HERS), which follows 225 HIV positive and 115 HIV negative women at The Miriam and Pawtucket Memorial Hospitals. Three hundred women with active injection drug use, including participants and non-participants in needle exchange, will be followed at six-month intervals for one year to address the following specific aims: 1) To compare risk behavior profiles between Program participants and non-participants, including frequency of injection, needle sharing, source of obtaining needles, episodes of cessation, and participation in drug abuse treatment; 2) To determine the utilization and the obstacles to participation in needle exchange, particularly those which are unique to women; 3) To compare medical outcomes between Program participants and non-participants including incidence of HIV, HTLV II, and hepatitis B and C, and episodes of other injection-related complications including abscesses, cellulitis and endocarditis. Baseline and two six-month follow-up interviews and phlebotomy will be performed.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Unknown (K20)
Project #
5K20DA000268-05
Application #
2897599
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (SRCD (12))
Program Officer
Hartsock, Peter
Project Start
1995-07-15
Project End
2002-06-30
Budget Start
1999-07-01
Budget End
2002-06-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Miriam Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
039318308
City
Providence
State
RI
Country
United States
Zip Code
02906
Taylor, Lynn E; Runarsdottir, Valgerdur; Zampi, Amy et al. (2003) Would you consider prescribing syringes to injection drug users? Addiction Medicine Conference Survey. J Addict Dis 22:67-78
Rich, Josiah D; Taylor, Lynn; Mehrotra, Meenakshi et al. (2003) Prescribing syringes to injection drug users: what the family physician should know. Am Fam Physician 68:45-7
Rich, Josiah D; Martin, Erika G; Macalino, Grace E et al. (2002) Pharmacist support for selling syringes without a prescription to injection drug users in Rhode Island. J Am Pharm Assoc (Wash) 42:S58-61
Rich, Josiah D; Macalino, Grace; Merchant, Roland C et al. (2002) HIV seroprevalence of adult males incarcerated for a sexual offense in Rhode Island, 1994-1999. JAMA 288:164-5
Rich, J D; Macalino, G E; McKenzie, M et al. (2001) Syringe prescription to prevent HIV infection in Rhode Island: a case study. Am J Public Health 91:699-700
Rich, J D; Whitlock, T L; Towe, C W et al. (2001) Prescribing syringes to prevent HIV: a survey of infectious disease and addiction medicine physicians in Rhode Island. Subst Use Misuse 36:535-50
Rich, J D; McKenzie, M; Macalino, G et al. (2001) The genesis of syringe prescription to prevent HIV in Rhode Island. Health Matrix Clevel 11:129-45
Rich, J D; Holmes, L; Salas, C et al. (2001) Successful linkage of medical care and community services for HIV-positive offenders being released from prison. J Urban Health 78:279-89
Burris, S; Lurie, P; Abrahamson, D et al. (2000) Physician prescribing of sterile injection equipment to prevent HIV infection: time for action. Ann Intern Med 133:218-26
Rich, J D; Dickinson, B P; Macalino, G et al. (1999) Prevalence and incidence of HIV among incarcerated and reincarcerated women in Rhode Island. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 22:161-6

Showing the most recent 10 out of 25 publications