The explosive and ongoing injecting drug use-related HIV-1 epidemic in Vancouver continues to receive international attention. This study was conducted determine how patterns of cocaine use influence the risk HIV infection.The Injection Drug Users Study is an open prospective cohort users that began May 1996. At enrollment at semi-annual follow-up visits interviewer administers a detailed semi-structured questionnaire. Cox proportional hazards models were used behavioral reported 6 months...

The objective of this study was to compare sociodemographic, drug, and sexual risk characteristics between hepatitis C virus (HCV) baseline positive negative young (13-24 years) injection drug users (IDUs) determine prospective factors for HCV seroconversion among the youth. Data were collected through Vancouver Injection Drug Users Study (VIDUS). To date, more than 1,400 Vancouver-area IDUs have been enrolled followed up; 234 aged 24 years younger. Semiannually, participants completed an...

<b>Background:</b> Law enforcement is often used in an effort to reduce the social, community and health-related harms of illicit drug use by injection users (IDUs). There are, however, few data on benefits such or potential harms. A large-scale police "crackdown" control Vancouver9s Downtown Eastside provided us with opportunity evaluate effect. <b>Methods:</b> As part our ongoing prospective cohort study IDUs Vancouver, we examined collected from 244 3 months before crackdown 142 after...

Vancouver has experienced an explosive HIV epidemic despite the presence of a needle exchange programme (NEP). We sought possible explanations for high-risk syringe sharing among injection drug users over period January 1999 to October 2000. Overall, 14% participants reported sharing. Although acquiring needles exclusively from NEP was independently associated with less sharing, we identified several risk factors persistent including difficulty accessing sterile needles, bingeing, and...

In Canada, very little is known about the factors and processes that cause drug-related harm among female intravenous drug users (IDUs). Women who inject drugs participate in survival sex trade are considered to be at increased risk for sexual harms, including HIV infection. Between September 1999 2000, women participating VIDUS cohort Vancouver St. Luc Cohort Montreal completed interviewer-administered questionnaires. Analyses were conducted compare demographic characteristics, behaviours,...

Injection drug use is inextricably linked to commercial sex work and the transmission of sexually transmitted disease (STD). In many communities prevention efforts have been stalled owing marginal existence this community. This study describes sexual activities, condom use, reported STDs, in a large cohort injection users. Seventy two per cent male 92% female subjects were active. Among subjects, 57% more than 100 lifetime partners. Condoms generally not used with regular partners, about...

Within Canadian prisons HIV/AIDS is becoming more common among inmates. While injection drug use in correctional facilities documented to be a problem, qualitative research into the HIV risks faced by inmates lacking. The goal of this was qualitatively examine risk associated with injecting inside British Columbia prisons. A sample 26 former male who had recently used drugs within were recruited from ongoing cohort study users Vancouver, Canada. Data for collected through in-depth interviews...

INTRODUCTION: During the past decade, number of Aboriginal people diagnosed with HIV in Canada has grown more than any other ethnicity. Whereas majority infections are related to injection drug use, factors that explain elevated risk and transmission among young who use illicit drugs not well understood.Study Design. Observational study.Methods. The Cedar Project is an observational study youth living Vancouver Prince George, BC. Eligibility criteria include age (14–30 years) self-reported...

Background Although medically supervised safer injecting facilities (SIFs) remain untested in North America, their implementation is currently being debated. Reluctance of health policy makers to initiate a pilot study SIFs may part be hindered by outstanding questions regarding the potential community and public impact intervention. Specifically, it presently unknown if those at greatest risk overdose HIV transmission or responsible for injection drug use will willing attend. Methods The...

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and incidence HIV hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection among young (aged 29 years or younger) injection drug users (IDUs) compare sociodemographic risk characteristics between (HIV/HCV) coinfected, monoinfected, HIV- HCV-negative youth. Data were collected through Vancouver Injection Drug Users Study (VIDUS). To date, more than 1400 IDUs have been enrolled followed, whom 479 aged younger. Semiannually, participants completed an...

Several studies have highlighted risk factors that cause HIV vulnerability among injection drug users (IDUs); these in turn prompted public health officials to take action minimize risks. We sought evaluate the potential association between binge use and seroconversion and, subsequently, associated with a cohort of IDUs. To do this, we performed analyses (1) associations (2) participants enrolled Vancouver Injection Drug Users Study (VIDUS), prospective IDU. Because serial measures for each...

<h3>Background:</h3> Studies suggest that Aboriginal people in Canada are over-represented among using injection drugs. The factors associated with transitioning to the use of drugs young not well understood. <h3>Methods:</h3> Cedar Project is a prospective cohort study (2003–2007) involving Vancouver and Prince George, British Columbia, who illicit Participants’ venous blood samples were tested for antibodies HIV hepatitis C virus, drug was confirmed saliva screens. primary outcomes at...

Factors associated with HCV incidence among young Aboriginal people in Canada are still not well understood. We sought to estimate time infection and the relative hazard of risk factors who use injection drugs two Canadian cities. The Cedar Project is a prospective cohort study involving Vancouver Prince George, British Columbia, illicit drugs. Participants’ venous blood samples were drawn tested for antibodies. Analysis was restricted participants used at enrolment or any follow up visit....