Intersections between syndemic conditions and stages along the continuum of overdose risk among women who inject drugs in Mexicali, Mexico

Harm Reduction Journal

Research

Steve Shoptaw¹  Anabel Salimian²  Mary C. Cambou²  David Goodman-Meza²  Lourdes Angulo³  Said Slim³  Pablo Gonzalez-Nieto⁴  Jaime Arredondo⁴  Eileen V. Pitpitan⁵  Alejandra García de Loera⁶ 

[1] Department of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 10833 Le Conte Ave, 90095, Los Angeles, CA, USA;Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 10833, Le Conte Ave, CHS 52-215, 90095, Los Angeles, CA, USA;Integración Social Verter, A.C., Calle José Azueta 230, Primera, 21100, Mexicali, BC, Mexico;Integración Social Verter, A.C., Calle José Azueta 230, Primera, 21100, Mexicali, BC, Mexico;Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR), 2300, McKenzie Ave, V8N 5M8, Victoria, BC, Canada;School of Social Work, San Diego State University, Hepner Hall Room 119, 5500 Campanile Drive, 92182-4119, San Diego, CA, USA;Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes (UAA), Avenida Universidad #940, 20100, Aguascalientes, AGS, Mexico;

关键词: Women;    People who inject drugs;    Substance use;    Mexico;    Stigma;    Violence;    Overdose;    Latin America;    Safe consumption site;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12954-023-00815-9

 received in 2023-03-13, accepted in 2023-06-16,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundResearch on women who inject drugs is scarce in low- and middle-income countries. Women experience unique harms such as sexism and sexual violence which translate into negative health outcomes. The present work aims to provide insight into the experiences of women who inject drugs at the US–Mexico border to identify social and health-related risk factors for overdose to guide harm reduction interventions across the Global South.MethodsWe recruited 25 women ≥ 18 years of age accessing harm reduction and sexual health services at a non-governmental harm reduction organization, “Verter”, in Mexicali, Mexico. We employed purposeful sampling to recruit women who inject drugs who met eligibility criteria. We collected quantitative survey data and in-depth interview data. Analyses of both data sources involved the examination of descriptive statistics and thematic analysis, respectively, and were guided by the syndemic and continuum of overdose risk frameworks.ResultsSurvey data demonstrated reports of initiating injection drug use at a young age, experiencing homelessness, engaging in sex work, being rejected by family members, experiencing physical violence, injecting in public spaces, and experiencing repeated overdose events. Interview data provided evidence of stigma and discrimination toward women, a lack of safe spaces and support systems, risk of overdose-related harms, sexual violence, and the overall need for harm reduction services.ConclusionWomen who inject drugs in Mexicali describe experiences of violence, overdose, and public injecting. Women are particularly vulnerable in the Mexicali context, as this area faces a noticeable lack of health and social services. Evidenced-based harm reduction strategies such as safe consumption sites and overdose prevention strategies (e.g., naloxone distribution and training) may benefit this population. Evidence from local organizations could help close the gap in service provision in low-resource settings like Mexico, where government action is almost nonexistent.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2023