Prevalence and associates of non-fatal overdose among people who inject drugs in Saveh, Iran
Abstract Background As a public health issue, non-fatal overdose (NFOD) is highly prevalent among people who inject drugs (PWID). This can lead to an elevated risk of future overdose, causing various harms including possible death. It is essential to improve knowledge concerning this problem and its...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-08-01
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| Series: | Addiction Science & Clinical Practice |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-022-00325-2 |
| _version_ | 1811315371761729536 |
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| author | Bahram Armoon Mark D. Griffiths Azadeh Bayani Rasool Mohammadi Elaheh Ahounbar |
| author_facet | Bahram Armoon Mark D. Griffiths Azadeh Bayani Rasool Mohammadi Elaheh Ahounbar |
| author_sort | Bahram Armoon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background As a public health issue, non-fatal overdose (NFOD) is highly prevalent among people who inject drugs (PWID). This can lead to an elevated risk of future overdose, causing various harms including possible death. It is essential to improve knowledge concerning this problem and its associated risk factors to inform overdose prevention and assistance programs. The primary aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of NFOD and associated risk factors among PWID in Saveh, Iran. Methods In the present cross-sectional study, 272 PWID living in Saveh, Iran were interviewed face-to-face using a structured survey. Data concerning socio-demographics, substance use, risky behaviors, and services utilization data were collected. The outcome variable (i.e., NFOD) was assessed by answering “Yes” to the question: “In the past three months, have you ever overdosed (at least once) by accident?” Results The prevalence of NFOD among PWID in the past three months was 54%. The characteristics and behaviors that were associated with an increased risk of experiencing NFOD in the past three months were being of older age (AOR = 5.2, p < 0.05), drug use initiation under the age of 22 years (AOR = 7.8, p < 0.05), being an alcohol user (AOR = 3.0, p < 0.05), and being a simultaneous multiple drug user (AOR = 5.8, p < 0.05). Also, more recent initiates to injecting (< 2 years) had an increased risk of experiencing a non-fatal overdose in the past three months. Findings also indicated that those who (i) attended a needle and syringe program (AOR: 0.3, p < 0.05), (ii) were visited by a general practitioner (AOR: 0.03, p < 0.05), and (iii) received a psychosocial intervention (AOR: 0.1, p < 0.05) were 0.3, 0.03 and 0.1 times less likely to report non-fatal overdosing than other participants, respectively. Conclusions The results indicate that intervention and prevention initiatives seeking to reduce NFOD among PWID should not only be focused on the primary drug used but also the use of alcohol and polysubstance use. Specific and tailored psychological interventions combined with pharmacotherapy may be highly beneficial for PWID who experience more severe types of substance use, including alcohol use disorders and/or polysubstance abuse. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T11:30:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dbfaebd8f5c94793bde58d0289c2483e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1940-0640 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T11:30:11Z |
| publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Addiction Science & Clinical Practice |
| spelling | doaj.art-dbfaebd8f5c94793bde58d0289c2483e2022-12-22T02:48:36ZengBMCAddiction Science & Clinical Practice1940-06402022-08-0117111010.1186/s13722-022-00325-2Prevalence and associates of non-fatal overdose among people who inject drugs in Saveh, IranBahram Armoon0Mark D. Griffiths1Azadeh Bayani2Rasool Mohammadi3Elaheh Ahounbar4Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Saveh University of Medical SciencesInternational Gaming Research Unit, Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent UniversityStudent Research Committee, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Nutrition, Lorestan University of Medical SciencesOrygen, The National Center of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, University of MelbourneAbstract Background As a public health issue, non-fatal overdose (NFOD) is highly prevalent among people who inject drugs (PWID). This can lead to an elevated risk of future overdose, causing various harms including possible death. It is essential to improve knowledge concerning this problem and its associated risk factors to inform overdose prevention and assistance programs. The primary aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of NFOD and associated risk factors among PWID in Saveh, Iran. Methods In the present cross-sectional study, 272 PWID living in Saveh, Iran were interviewed face-to-face using a structured survey. Data concerning socio-demographics, substance use, risky behaviors, and services utilization data were collected. The outcome variable (i.e., NFOD) was assessed by answering “Yes” to the question: “In the past three months, have you ever overdosed (at least once) by accident?” Results The prevalence of NFOD among PWID in the past three months was 54%. The characteristics and behaviors that were associated with an increased risk of experiencing NFOD in the past three months were being of older age (AOR = 5.2, p < 0.05), drug use initiation under the age of 22 years (AOR = 7.8, p < 0.05), being an alcohol user (AOR = 3.0, p < 0.05), and being a simultaneous multiple drug user (AOR = 5.8, p < 0.05). Also, more recent initiates to injecting (< 2 years) had an increased risk of experiencing a non-fatal overdose in the past three months. Findings also indicated that those who (i) attended a needle and syringe program (AOR: 0.3, p < 0.05), (ii) were visited by a general practitioner (AOR: 0.03, p < 0.05), and (iii) received a psychosocial intervention (AOR: 0.1, p < 0.05) were 0.3, 0.03 and 0.1 times less likely to report non-fatal overdosing than other participants, respectively. Conclusions The results indicate that intervention and prevention initiatives seeking to reduce NFOD among PWID should not only be focused on the primary drug used but also the use of alcohol and polysubstance use. Specific and tailored psychological interventions combined with pharmacotherapy may be highly beneficial for PWID who experience more severe types of substance use, including alcohol use disorders and/or polysubstance abuse.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-022-00325-2Non-fatal overdosePeople who inject drugsPolysubstance useAlcohol usePsychological interventions |
| spellingShingle | Bahram Armoon Mark D. Griffiths Azadeh Bayani Rasool Mohammadi Elaheh Ahounbar Prevalence and associates of non-fatal overdose among people who inject drugs in Saveh, Iran Addiction Science & Clinical Practice Non-fatal overdose People who inject drugs Polysubstance use Alcohol use Psychological interventions |
| title | Prevalence and associates of non-fatal overdose among people who inject drugs in Saveh, Iran |
| title_full | Prevalence and associates of non-fatal overdose among people who inject drugs in Saveh, Iran |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence and associates of non-fatal overdose among people who inject drugs in Saveh, Iran |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence and associates of non-fatal overdose among people who inject drugs in Saveh, Iran |
| title_short | Prevalence and associates of non-fatal overdose among people who inject drugs in Saveh, Iran |
| title_sort | prevalence and associates of non fatal overdose among people who inject drugs in saveh iran |
| topic | Non-fatal overdose People who inject drugs Polysubstance use Alcohol use Psychological interventions |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-022-00325-2 |
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