Exploration of drug users profile
Nektaria Alexopoulou, Elpida Georgiadi, Maria Polikandrioti, Maria Korkovili, Angeliki Mpaseta, Anna Maina
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Publication year:
2014
Authors:
- Alexopoulou Nektaria, RN, MSC, Unit of Treatment with Pharmaceutical Substitutes, OKANA Hospital “Agioi Anargyroi”
- Georgiadi Elpida, RN, MSc, Associate Head of Thalassemia Unit, General Hospital of Athens "Laiko"
- Polikandrioti Maria, Assistant Professor,Department of Nursing,Technological Educational Institute of Athens
- Korkovili Maria, Medical laboratory technologist , EOPYY Acharnon
- Mpaseta Angeliki, Head Nurse of Clinical Pathology in General Hospital of Athens "Laiko"
- Maina Anna, Associate of the Department of Sociology of the National School of Public Health, PhD(c) Panteion University, Department of Social Psychology
Keywords index:
Pages: 47-61
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to explore the profile of drug users in the Athens and the characteristics of the use ( injecting and syringe sharing ) .
Method and material : Data were collected by the completion of questionnaire by personal interview of184 drug users who came to the Emergency Assistance Unit and Support (MAVY) OKANA for the first time.
Results : The sample consisted of 184 individuals with a mean age of 35.3 years (± 8,8). 77.2% of participants were men, 82.1% had Greek nationality and 79.3% were Greek. 79.9% of the participants were unemployed. Regarding educational level of the participants, 39.4% were high school graduates and 22.3% had quit school. 37.5% of participants took by themselves the decision to seek help in the therapeutic program. 62.0% of participants had heroin through nose while 50.0% of the participants had cocaine through injection. 92.3% of participants used heroin every day for the last month. The average age of onset of substance use was 22.6 years (± 7,2) and average duration of use 12.1 years (± 8,4). 45.4% of participants had injection within the last month, 18.1% of whom had shared needles with another or others.
Conclusion : Information, consultative approach as well as education of active users on issues related to the prevention of infectious diseases are key -elements of therapeutic programs.
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