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Abscess and self-treatment among injection drug users at four California syringe exchanges and their surrounding communities
Fink, D., Lindsay, S., Slymen, D., Kral, A. H., & Bluthenthal, R. (2013). Abscess and self-treatment among injection drug users at four California syringe exchanges and their surrounding communities. Substance Use and Misuse, 48(7), 523-531. https://doi.org/10.3109/10826084.2013.787094
This study aimed to identify the prevalence and determinants of soft tissue infections and self-treatment among injection drug users (IDUs) in California. The study interviewed 864 IDUs in California using computer-assisted personal interview (CAPI) from 2003 to 2005. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to examine adjusted associations for recent abscess and abscess self-treatment. In these analyses, Latinos had higher odds than African Americans to self-treat, while IDUs reporting a usual place of health care had lower odds of self-treatment. Findings suggest an expansion of wound care facilities to mitigate the self-treatment of abscesses, with special consideration to Latinos.
