We examined correlates of ever injecting drugs in Mexico among residents of San Diego, California. From 2007 to 2010, injecting drug users (IDUs) in San Diego underwent an interviewer-administered survey. Logistic regression identified correlates of injection drug use in Mexico. Of 302 IDUs, 38% were Hispanic, 72% male and median age was 37; 27% ever injected in Mexico; 43% reported distributive syringe sharing there. Factors independently associated with ever injecting drugs in Mexico included being younger at first injection, injecting heroin, distributive syringe sharing at least half of the time, and transporting drugs over the last 6 months. One-quarter of IDUs reported ever injecting drugs in Mexico, among whom syringe sharing was common, suggesting possible mixing between IDUs in the Mexico-US border region. Prospective studies should monitor trends in cross-border drug use in light of recent Mexican drug policy reforms partially decriminalizing drug possession.

The COVID-19 related U.S.-Mexico border-crossing restrictions disrupted social networks and HIV harm reduction services among people who inject drugs (PWID) in San Diego and Tijuana. We assessed associations of descriptive network norms on PWID's HIV vulnerability during this period. Between 10/2020 and 10/2021, 399 PWID completed a behavioral and egocentric questionnaire. We used Latent Profile Analysis to categorize PWID into network norm risk profiles based on proportions of their network (n = 924 drug use alters) who injected drugs and engaged in cross-border drug use (CBDU), among other vulnerabilities. We used logistic and linear regressions to assess network profile associations with individual-level index of HIV vulnerability and harm reduction behaviors. Fit indices specified a 4-latent profile solution of descriptive network risk norms: lower (n = 178), moderate with (n = 34) and without (n = 94) CBDU and obtainment, and higher (n = 93). Participants in higher risk profiles reported more HIV vulnerability behaviors and fewer harm reduction behaviors. PWID's gradient of HIV risk was associated with network norms, warranting intervention on high-vulnerability networks when services are limited.

Background

Due to the persistence of COVID-19, it remains important to measure and examine potential barriers to COVID-19 prevention and treatment to avert additional loss of life, particularly among stigmatized populations, such as people who inject drugs (PWID), who are at high risk for contracting and spreading SARS-CoV-2. We assessed the psychometrics of a novel COVID-19 response-related discrimination scale among PWID, and characterized associations between COVID-19 response-related discrimination, resilience to adversity, and endorsement of COVID-19 disinformation.

Methods

We assessed internal reliability, structural validity and construct validity of a 4-item COVID-19 response-related discrimination scale among PWID living in San Diego County, completing interviewer-administered surveys between October 2020 and September 2021. Using negative binomial regression, we assessed the relationship between COVID-19 response-related discrimination and disinformation and the potential moderating role of resilience.

Results

Of 381 PWID, mean age was 42.6 years and the majority were male (75.6 %) and Hispanic (61.9 %). The COVID-19 response-related discrimination scale had modest reliability (α = 0.66, ω = 0.66) as a single construct with acceptable construct validity (all p ≤ 0.05). Among 216 PWID who completed supplemental surveys, a significant association between COVID-19 response-related discrimination and COVID-19 disinformation was observed, which was moderated by resilience (p = 0.044). Specifically, among PWID with high levels of resilience, endorsement of COVID-19 disinformation significantly increased as exposure to COVID-19 response-related discrimination increased (p = 0.011).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that intervening on COVID-19 response-related discrimination may offset the negative outcomes associated with COVID-19 disinformation.