Recent fentanyl use among people who inject drugs: Results from a rapid assessment in Baltimore, Maryland

Abstract

<div class="section"> <a class="named-anchor" id="S1"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <h5 class="title" id="d222929e177">Background</h5> <p id="P4">Fentanyl-related mortality continues to increase in the US, but knowledge of the drivers of fentanyl use (both intentional and unintentional) remains limited. We conducted a rapid assessment to characterize knowledge, attitudes and practices related to fentanyl use in a community-based cohort of current and former people who inject drugs (PWID) in Baltimore, Maryland. </p> </div><div class="section"> <a class="named-anchor" id="S2"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <h5 class="title" id="d222929e182">Methods</h5> <p id="P5">Between November 2017 and June 2018, participants of the AIDS Linked to the IntraVenous Experience (ALIVE) cohort completed a survey related to fentanyl use. Correlates of recent (past 6 months) fentanyl use and preference for fentanyl-contaminated and –substituted heroin (FASH) were examined using logistic regression among persons who reported using drugs in the prior six months. </p> </div><div class="section"> <a class="named-anchor" id="S3"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <h5 class="title" id="d222929e187">Results</h5> <p id="P6">Of 994 participants, 28% reported ever having used fentanyl, with 58% of those reporting recent use. Independent correlates of recent fentanyl use among the subset of participants reporting recent (past 6 month) drug use were younger age, male sex, homelessness, opioid use, cocaine use, and daily injection (p&lt;0.05 for all). 18% of those who recently used fentanyl reported preference for FASH, which was associated with younger age, homelessness and daily injection (p&lt;0.05 for all). </p> </div><div class="section"> <a class="named-anchor" id="S4"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <h5 class="title" id="d222929e192">Conclusions</h5> <p id="P7">Recent fentanyl use was commonly reported. Interventions to reduce the harms associated with fentanyl use should target young, homeless PWID who may be more likely to seek out fentanyl. </p> </div>