Objectives Abscesses and chronic wounds are common among injection drug users (IDUs) though chronic wounds have been understudied. We assess the risk factors associated with both acute and chronic wounds within a community-based population of IDUs frequenting the Baltimore City Needle Exchange Program (BNEP). Methods We performed a cross-sectional study of BNEP clients ≥18 years who completed an in-person survey regarding active or prior wounds including abscesses (duration <8 weeks) and chronic wounds (duration ≥8 weeks), injection practices, and skin care. Factors associated with wounds were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results Of the 152 participants, 63.2% were men, 49.3% were Caucasian, 44.7% were African American, 34.9% had any type of current wound, 17.8% had an active abscess, and 19.7% had a current chronic wound. Abscesses were more common in women (odds ratio [OR], 2.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10–5.97); and those reporting skin-popping (OR, 5.38; 95% CI, 1.85–15.67). In a multivariate model, risk factors for an abscess included injecting with a family member/partner (AOR, 4.06; 95% CI, 0.99–16.58). In a multivariable analysis of current chronic wounds, cleaning skin with alcohol prior to injection was protective (AOR, 0.061; 95% CI, 0.0064–0.58). Conclusions Abscesses and chronic wounds were prevalent among a sample of IDUs in Baltimore. Abscesses were associated with injection practices, and chronic wounds appeared linked to varying skin and tool cleaning practices. There is a pressing need for wound-related education and treatment efforts among IDUs who are at greatest risk for skin-related morbidity.

Background Testing and linkage to care are important determinants of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment effectiveness. Public health clinics serve populations at high risk for HCV. We investigated their potential to serve as sites for HCV testing, initiation of and linkage to HCV care. Methods Cross-sectional study of patients accessing Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) care at the Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) STI clinics, from June 2013 through April 2014. Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with HCV infection and specialist linkage to care. Results Between June 24, 2013 and April 15, 2014, 2681 patients were screened for HCV infection. Overall, 189 (7%) were anti-HCV positive, of whom 185 (98%) received follow-up HCV RNA testing, with 155 (84%) testing RNA positive. Of 155 RNA positive individuals, 138 (89%) returned to the STI clinic for HCV RNA results and initial HCV care including counseling regarding transmission and harm reduction for alcohol, and 132 (85%) were referred to a specialist for HCV care. With provision of patient navigation services, 81(52%) attended an offsite HCV specialist appointment. Alcohol use and lack of insurance coverage were associated with lower rates of specialist linkage (OR 0.4 [95% CI 0.1–0.9] and OR 0.4 [95% CI 0.1–0.9] respectively). Conclusion We identified a high prevalence of HCV infection in BCHD STI clinics. With availability of patient navigation services a large proportion of HCV infected patients linked to off-site specialist care.

BackgroundThe opioid crisis remains a major public health issue in the US and beyond. Despite rapid rises in fentanyl-related mortality nationally, little is known about the role of fentanyl in the occurrence of non-fatal overdose among people who use drugs. We examined the prevalence of non-fatal overdose and perceived fentanyl exposure among syringe services program (SSP) clients and modeled the correlates of non-fatal overdose.MethodsData were drawn from a cross-sectional survey of 203 SSP clients in Baltimore, MD recruited in 2016. Logistic regression models were used to identify the correlates of experiencing non-fatal overdose in the past 12 months.ResultsThe majority (65%) was male, 52% were black, 41% were white, and 37% were homeless. Almost all (97%) used heroin, 64% injected heroin with cocaine (i.e., speedball), and many used other types of drugs. Half (53%) perceived fentanyl presence in their drugs either half, most or all of the time. Lifetime and past 12 month prevalence of non-fatal overdose were 58 and 31%, respectively. Independent correlates of non-fatal overdose in the past 12 months were perceiving fentanyl in drugs more than half the time (aOR = 2.79; 95% CI = 1.00–4.68), speedball injection (aOR = 2.80, 95% CI = 1.26–6.23), non-prescription buprenorphine use (aOR = 6.37; 95% CI = 2.86–14.17), and homelessness (aOR = 3.07; 95% CI = 1.28–7.39).ConclusionsThese data demonstrate that SSP clients are at high-risk of overdose, some of which is likely attributable to fentanyl exposure. Addressing the rising fentanyl epidemic will require comprehensive and innovative strategies that attend to drug use patterns and structural factors such as homelessness.