PATTERNS OF DRUG USE PROFILES AMONG INJECTION DRUG USERS IN TEHRAN, IRAN: A LATENT CLASS ANALYSIS

Background and Aim : Background:The objective of this study is, to describe patterns (or classes ) used LCA to examine patterns of drug use profiles among PWID then to examine factors associated with each identified classes membranes in PWID in IranMethods : Methods:In a cross-sectional survey, using snow-ball sampling, we recruited 500 PWIDs in Tehran. The questionnaire included modules on socio-demographic characteristics and drugrelated behaviors over the past month prior to the interview. Clustering of the behaviors was investigated using exploratory latent class analysis (LCA). After identification of the latent classes and optimal number of latent classes, we used multi-nominal regression to identify factors associated with class membership.Results : Results :The mean, SD and median durations of injection drug use were 6.0 ± 4.6 and 3.2 (IQR, 3.6–11.1) years the adjusted odds ratios (AOR) represented that the class 1 members had higher odds of being homeless (AOR = 2.6, 95 % CI:1.4–5.7); in past 12 months. Unemployed status predicted membership in the class. Odds of class 1 membership was higher in PWID who were Unemployed (AOR = 1.9, 95% CI = 0.52-2.63), and reported HIV-positive (AOR = 3.2, 95% CI = 1.74–6.52) Conclusion : Conclusion:The drug use classes were associated with different risk behaviors. PWID who reported being HIV positive were significantly more likely to belong to class 1, being primarily methamphetamine users who initiated injection at age 22 years or younger

Keywords:

Patterns , drug use profiles , Tehran , Latent Class Analysis