2015
Prevalence and experience of chronic pain in suburban drug injectors
Heimer R, Zhan W, Grau LE. Prevalence and experience of chronic pain in suburban drug injectors. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2015, 151: 92-100. PMID: 25841984, PMCID: PMC4447527, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.03.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNon-medical opioid useChronic painHepatitis BOpioid useSerological testingDrug injectorsCo-occurring chronic painCurrent chronic painInjection drug useInjection drug usersCross-sectional studyInfectious disease treatmentSignificant complicationsSuccessful treatmentMonths durationOpioid overdosePharmaceutical opioidsDrug treatmentStudy populationPainDrug usersPsychological statusDrug useOlder agePast month
2014
Factors associated with hepatitis B vaccine series completion in a randomized trial for injection drug users reached through syringe exchange programs in three US cities
Bowman S, Grau LE, Singer M, Scott G, Heimer R. Factors associated with hepatitis B vaccine series completion in a randomized trial for injection drug users reached through syringe exchange programs in three US cities. BMC Public Health 2014, 14: 820. PMID: 25107530, PMCID: PMC4138371, DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-820.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInjection drug usersSyringe exchange programsThree-dose vaccine seriesVaccine seriesVaccination ratesDrug usersHealth interventionsStandard HBV vaccination scheduleBackgroundHepatitis B virusHBV vaccination scheduleVaccine series completionVaccine-preventable infectionsSelf-rated health scoresPublic health interventionsDeterminants of completionHepatitis vaccinationVaccine scheduleVaccination schedulePersonal health statusLast visitLongstanding recommendationsPreventable infectionsB virusHealth beliefsHealth scores
2013
Drug users in Hanoi, Vietnam: factors associated with membership in community-based drug user groups
Hayes-Larson E, Grau LE, Khoshnood K, Barbour R, Khuat OT, Heimer R. Drug users in Hanoi, Vietnam: factors associated with membership in community-based drug user groups. Harm Reduction Journal 2013, 10: 33. PMID: 24268108, PMCID: PMC4176489, DOI: 10.1186/1477-7517-10-33.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDrug user groupsResult of membershipDomains of knowledgeInjection-related harmsLongitudinal studyGreater historyDrug usePost-hoc evaluationMembershipLow statistical powerFurther longitudinal studiesQuality of lifeUser groupsFaceHigh levelsPeersMore attentionHealth issuesMultivariate modelBeingHarm reductionDrug usersKnowledge variablesHarmVariablesSeroprevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus, and HCV among injection drug users in Connecticut: understanding infection and coinfection risks in a nonurban population.
Akselrod H, Grau LE, Barbour R, Heimer R. Seroprevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus, and HCV among injection drug users in Connecticut: understanding infection and coinfection risks in a nonurban population. American Journal Of Public Health 2013, 104: 1713-21. PMID: 24134382, PMCID: PMC3990658, DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2013.301357.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInjection drug usersHepatitis B virusDrug use durationSubstance abuse treatmentB virusRisk factorsCriminal justice involvementDrug usersAbuse treatmentAdult injection drug usersSeroprevalence of HIVInjection drug usePotential risk factorsSignificant predictorsUse durationMultiple viral infectionsEffective harm reduction strategiesHarm reduction strategiesJustice involvementHCV seroprevalenceInjection useInterim analysisViral infectionDrug useSerological testsAssociations Between Injection Risk and Community Disadvantage Among Suburban Injection Drug Users in Southwestern Connecticut, USA
Heimer R, Barbour R, Palacios WR, Nichols LG, Grau LE. Associations Between Injection Risk and Community Disadvantage Among Suburban Injection Drug Users in Southwestern Connecticut, USA. AIDS And Behavior 2013, 18: 452-463. PMID: 23921583, PMCID: PMC3917972, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-013-0572-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultConnecticutDrug UsersFemaleHarm ReductionHealth Services AccessibilityHumansInterviews as TopicLongitudinal StudiesMaleNeedle SharingPrevalenceResidence CharacteristicsRisk FactorsSocial EnvironmentSocioeconomic FactorsSubstance Abuse, IntravenousSubstance-Related DisordersSuburban Health ServicesSuburban PopulationYoung AdultConceptsHarm reduction servicesInjection riskReduction servicesAbuse treatmentInjection drug useInjection drug usersRisky injection practicesPoor social supportDisadvantaged census tractsSubstance abuse treatmentDrug abuse treatmentPatterns of heroinRespondent-driven samplingHepatitis BInfluence of residenceSevere depressionOpioid overdosesSerological testingOverdose deathsGeneral populationInjection practicesDrug usersDrug useYounger ageRisk behaviors
2011
Prevalence, characteristics, and predictors of police training initiatives by US SEPs: Building an evidence base for structural interventions
Beletsky L, Grau LE, White E, Bowman S, Heimer R. Prevalence, characteristics, and predictors of police training initiatives by US SEPs: Building an evidence base for structural interventions. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2011, 119: 145-149. PMID: 21705159, PMCID: PMC3192926, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2011.05.034.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSyringe exchange programsInjection drug usersNeedle stick injuriesCommunity-based prevention initiativesPublic health benefitsStick injuriesHIV transmissionPublic health rationaleDrug usersMost program managersMultivariate analysisSyringe possessionPrevention initiativesEvidence baseHealth benefitsCommunity healthOccupational healthHealth rationaleMultivariate modelingPrevalenceStructural interventionsSEP operationsPredictorsHealthPrevious year
2010
Drug Network Characteristics and HIV Risk Among Injection Drug Users in Russia: The roles of Trust, Size, and Stability
Cepeda JA, Odinokova VA, Heimer R, Grau LE, Lyubimova A, Safiullina L, Levina OS, Niccolai LM. Drug Network Characteristics and HIV Risk Among Injection Drug Users in Russia: The roles of Trust, Size, and Stability. AIDS And Behavior 2010, 15: 1003-1010. PMID: 20872063, PMCID: PMC3112286, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-010-9816-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPrevalence and predictors of transitions to and away from syringe exchange use over time in 3 US cities with varied syringe dispensing policies
Green TC, Bluthenthal RN, Singer M, Beletsky L, Grau LE, Marshall P, Heimer R. Prevalence and predictors of transitions to and away from syringe exchange use over time in 3 US cities with varied syringe dispensing policies. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2010, 111: 74-81. PMID: 20537814, PMCID: PMC3087197, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.03.022.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSyringe exchange programsSEP usersSEP useThree-City cohort studyPolicy change analysisSyringe exchange usePredictors of transitionSecondary syringe exchangePolice contactCohort studyFemale sexHIV riskSyringe availabilityExchange useSyringe exchangeDrug usersDrug paraphernaliaHealth interventionsUS citiesLatino ethnicityIDUsPolicyContextual factorsMultinomial regressionTypology
2009
Getting the message straight: effects of a brief hepatitis prevention intervention among injection drug users
Grau LE, Green TC, Singer M, Bluthenthal RN, Marshall PA, Heimer R. Getting the message straight: effects of a brief hepatitis prevention intervention among injection drug users. Harm Reduction Journal 2009, 6: 36. PMID: 20003518, PMCID: PMC2804675, DOI: 10.1186/1477-7517-6-36.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchRisk reduction materialsSyringe exchange programsInjection drug usersHygiene suppliesDrug usersHealth promotion behaviorsAppropriate useHealth promotion materialsSEP clientsPrevention interventionsHepatitis riskBlood flowInjection practicesPromotion behaviorsInjection siteBrief interventionIntervention effectivenessIntervention packetInterventionPassive introductionPromotion materialsExchange programsOne-quarterSubstantial numberVerbal remindersPsychosocial and contextual correlates of opioid overdose risk among drug users in St. Petersburg, Russia
Grau LE, Green TC, Torban M, Blinnikova K, Krupitsky E, Ilyuk R, Kozlov AP, Heimer R. Psychosocial and contextual correlates of opioid overdose risk among drug users in St. Petersburg, Russia. Harm Reduction Journal 2009, 6: 17. PMID: 19630963, PMCID: PMC2724502, DOI: 10.1186/1477-7517-6-17.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2008
Social and structural aspects of the overdose risk environment in St. Petersburg, Russia
Green TC, Grau LE, Blinnikova KN, Torban M, Krupitsky E, Ilyuk R, Kozlov A, Heimer R. Social and structural aspects of the overdose risk environment in St. Petersburg, Russia. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2008, 20: 270-276. PMID: 18774283, PMCID: PMC2696401, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2008.07.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDrug usersRisk behaviorsIntervention feasibilityOpioid overdosesModerate-risk behaviorAbstinence-based treatmentMost drug usersOpioid injectorsSuboptimal responseOverdose response trainingTreatment modalitiesCommon causeOverdose riskNaloxone distributionOverdose mortalityModifiable aspectsAmbulance staffRisk environmentOverdosesTreatment providersMortalityStructural interventionsKey informant interviewsMore ambulancesInterventionEconomic Evaluation of Delivering Hepatitis B Vaccine to Injection Drug Users
Hu Y, Grau LE, Scott G, Seal KH, Marshall PA, Singer M, Heimer R. Economic Evaluation of Delivering Hepatitis B Vaccine to Injection Drug Users. American Journal Of Preventive Medicine 2008, 35: 25-32. PMID: 18541174, PMCID: PMC2483306, DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2008.03.028.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInjection drug usersSyringe exchange programsHBV vaccinationDrug usersHepatitis B vaccination coverageActive injection drug usersAcute HBV infectionHepatitis B infectionHepatitis B vaccineQuality-adjusted life yearsAbsence of vaccinationLocal health departmentsDifferent vaccination strategiesVaccination program costsB infectionHBV infectionB vaccineFirst doseVaccination scheduleVaccination coverageVaccination strategiesCost-saving strategyVaccination campaignHigh riskMedical costsHepatitis B Virus Prevalence and Vaccination Rates among Hispanic Injection Drug Users Participating in a Vaccination Campaign
Heimer R, Grau L, Singer M, Scott G, Marshall P, Hu Y, Seal K. Hepatitis B Virus Prevalence and Vaccination Rates among Hispanic Injection Drug Users Participating in a Vaccination Campaign. Journal Of Drug Issues 2008, 38: 335-350. DOI: 10.1177/002204260803800114.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchInjection drug usersVaccination ratesDrug usersHepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalencePast hepatitis B infectionHepatitis B virus infectionHispanic injection drug usersHepatitis B infectionHepatitis B vaccinationB virus infectionDoses of vaccineNon-Hispanic blacksCurrent drug useSyringe exchange programsNon-Hispanic whitesB vaccinationB infectionHepatitis infectionHepatitis BEffective vaccineVirus infectionStudy populationVaccination campaignHigh riskDrug use
2006
Assessment of HIV Testing of Urban Injection Drug Users: Implications for Expansion of HIV Testing and Prevention Efforts
Heimer R, Grau LE, Curtin E, Khoshnood K, Singer M. Assessment of HIV Testing of Urban Injection Drug Users: Implications for Expansion of HIV Testing and Prevention Efforts. American Journal Of Public Health 2006, 97: 110-116. PMID: 17138916, PMCID: PMC1716244, DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2005.078105.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAIDS SerodiagnosisBlood-Borne PathogensDiagnostic ServicesEquipment ContaminationFemaleHealth EducationHIV SeropositivityHIV SeroprevalenceHumansMaleMiddle AgedNeedle-Exchange ProgramsProgram EvaluationPublic Health AdministrationSubstance Abuse, IntravenousSyringesUnited StatesUrban Health ServicesConceptsUrban injection drug usersInjection drug usersHIV testingDrug usersUndetected infectionsHIV prevention strategiesExtent of HIVTime-location samplingSecondary preventionDrug treatmentSyringe exchangeHIVPrevention effortsCurrent optionsInfectionChain referralVast majorityTestingReferralPreventionWomen