Biomedical subjects

J Faugier

Publications and source records attributed to J Faugier.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1991

Risk reduction among injecting drug users: changes in the sharing of injecting equipment and in condom use.

In an investigation of risk behaviour among injecting drug users in the North-West of England, information was obtained concerning the sharing of injecting equipment, respondent's sexual partners and the use of condoms. Between six and nine months after the initial contact, 169 respondents (56%) were contacted again. The emphasis in the second phase of the project was on changes, if any, in risk behaviour that had occurred in the intervening period. Significant reductions were found in sharing, mostly in the more indiscriminate use of others' injecting equipment. No reduction was observed in sharing between injecting partners and little in sharing between close friends. The number of sexual partners had decreased and the use of condoms, although it increased among those involved in temporary relationships, remained low. Impediments to further progress in risk reduction are discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

The sharing of injecting equipment among drug users attending prescribing clinics and those using needle-exchanges.

Three groups of injecting drug-users were defined in terms of their experience of methadone treatment: treatment for periods longer than 6 months, treatment for shorter periods, and no treatment. Methadone treatment and the use of needle exchanges were related in subsequent analysis to the sharing of injecting equipment. Comparisons between groups were made on other variables believed to be associated with sharing. Significant differences were observed between treatment groups in the recency of sharing and in the use of needle-exchanges. Age and length of drug use were important factors in sharing, which was least prevalent among older respondents in long-term treatment. Regular use of needle-exchanges was associated with the passing on of used equipment to others. Subsequent analysis of regular users suggested respondents in long-term treatment were less likely to pass on their equipment than those in the other two groups.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Factors associated with risk behaviour among injecting drug users.

A project which investigated the injecting and sexual behaviour of drug users in the North West of England revealed several social and behavioural factors strongly associated with HIV-related risk behaviour. For example, homelessness, crime, ignorance of drug-related health problems and drug use by a regular partner were associated with the sharing of injecting equipment. Other variables predicted casual sexual intercourse and intercourse without condoms. Some factors were identified that were common to both injecting and sexual risk behaviour.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Sexual partners of injecting drug users: the risk of HIV infection.

The sexual mediation of HIV infection by injecting drug users to the heterosexual population has become a major issue in AIDS prevention. Infection that is acquired through sharing contaminated injecting equipment can be passed on to non-injecting drug using partners and to non-drug using partners through sexual intercourse. A study of risk behaviour among injecting drug users in the North West of England focused, inter alia, upon aspects of their sexual activity and attitudes that have relevance for HIV transmission. It was found that in those respondents with regular partners, the level of sexual activity was related to the partner's use of drugs. The use of condoms was low in the sample as a whole, including those who reported having casual sexual contacts and sharing others' injecting equipment. These data confirm the need for concern and the advisability of targetting safer-sex education on drug users.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

AIDS-related risk behaviour, polydrug use and temazepam.

In a study of AIDS-related risk behaviour among injecting drug users in the north west of England it was found that 90% were polydrug users, and 28% were using temazepam. A third of all polydrug users had regularly used more than three drugs in addition to their preferred drug in the previous year. Statistical analysis revealed that the use of temazepam and extensive polydrug use were associated with sharing injecting equipment. Significant associations were also found with indices of sexual risk behaviour. It was concluded that multiple drug use and the use of temazepam were associated with behaviour that could increase exposure to HIV infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1990

Homophobia, stigma and AIDS--an issue for all health care workers.

The AIDS epidemic has brought with it some fairly terrifying images of chronic illness and death among the young. Along with those images are the tremendous feelings of impotence (if that is the right word to use when writing about AIDS) which such an unknown infection creates among health care workers, who are used to dealing with somewhat more manageable entities. Yet, in their everyday work, nurses have to deal with many illnesses which are not particularly easier to cope with than those affecting the AIDS patient. The big difference is that AIDS-related illnesses are less familiar and much more bound up in the moral and political framework of our society.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1986