In view of health inequities disfavoring Haitians, substances given by Florida Haitian picuristes/informal injectionists were investigated. Semi-structured interviews of 10 picuristes and 25 clients were obtained, transcribed, and analyzed using ATLAS.ti and SPSS. The most commonly injected substances were antibiotics (reported by eight of 10 picuristes, who sometimes compose substances when conventional pharmaceuticals are inaccessible). Haitian picuristes give injections based on clients' reported symptoms, and no clear or consistent protocol appears to exist for diagnosis, insuring injection safety, determining amount, or frequency of substances injected. Findings indicate frequent use and misuse of antibiotics. While not limited to this sample of Haitian immigrants, frequent and unmonitored use of antibiotics may add to health disparities by increasing antibiotic resistance among them and among others with similar health practices. A harm reduction approach for mitigating effects of antibiotic overuse is suggested. © Meharry Medical College.

Harm reduction Antibiotic resistance Haitian injectionists Haitian picuristes Substance use and U.S. Haitians

Drug Resistance, Microbial psychological aspect human middle aged statistics Injections ethnology qualitative research Haiti Young Adult United States Florida Humans traditional medicine male Emigrants and Immigrants Medicine, Traditional female injection Article adult migration Utilization Review patient attitude antibiotic resistance Patient Acceptance of Health Care antiinfective agent Anti-Bacterial Agents