Factors Related to the Use of Inhaled and Intravenous Heroin, Granada, Spain

Abstract

Background: Heroin use has stabilized in recent years in Spain, and the use of injected heroin having decreased. Nevertheless, major differences exist among different Autonomous Communities and among injected heroin users profile. This study is aimed at ascertaining the forms of heroin use (how administered) in an intentional sample of users in a situation of social exclusion and some variables related to said forms of use. Methods: The sample was comprised of 285 participants (82.8% males; average age 36.06). This study was conducted in the city of Granada in July-October 2002. Structured surveys conducted by onthe- street interviewers and individuals having knowledge of the environment («peers») using the «snowball» technique. Results: A total of 48.4% of the participants ternate inhaled and intravenous heroin use; 25.6% using only inhaled and 25.6% only intravenous. Following a regression analysis, it was found that the females, the youngest users and those having started use at an older age were at less risk of intravenous heroin use. A total of 21.5% of the participants who started using heron in inhaled form, also currently use both the injected and inhaled forms, the remaining 79.5% continue to use the inhaled form. Conclusions: Among individuals in a situation of social exclusion the intravenous form exceeds the estimated percentages in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia.