Drug and Alcohol Dependence
Volume 120, Issue 1-3, 2012, Pages 142-148

Male injection drug users try new drugs following U.S. deportation to Tijuana, Mexico (Article)

Robertson A.M. , Rangel M.G. , Lozada R. , Vera A. , Ojeda V.D.*
  • a Division of Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, Institute of the Americas, 10111 N. Torrey Pines Road, Mail Code 0507, La Jolla, CA 92093-0507, United States
  • b El Colegio de la Frontera Norte, Carretera Escénica Tijuana - Ensenada, Km. 18.5, San Antonio del Mar, Tijuana, Mexico, Secretaría de Salud de México, Col. Chapultepec Morales, Homero 213 Piso 19, CP 11570, Miguel Hidalgo, Distrito Federal, Mexico
  • c Patronato Pro-COMUSIDA, Ave. Baja California 7580, Zona Norte, Tijuana, Mexico
  • d Division of Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, Institute of the Americas, 10111 N. Torrey Pines Road, Mail Code 0507, La Jolla, CA 92093-0507, United States
  • e Division of Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, Institute of the Americas, 10111 N. Torrey Pines Road, Mail Code 0507, La Jolla, CA 92093-0507, United States

Abstract

Background: Among male injection drug users (IDUs) in Tijuana, Mexico, U.S. deportation is associated with HIV transmission. Changing drug use behaviors following deportation, including the use of new drugs, may increase HIV risk but are understudied. We identify correlates of trying new drugs following male IDUs' most recent U.S. deportation to Mexico. Methods: In 2010, we recruited 328 deported male IDUs in Tijuana, Mexico. Questionnaires collected retrospective data on drug use and other HIV risk behaviors throughout migratory events. Logistic regression identified correlates of trying new drugs/combinations following their most recent deportations. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Results: Nearly one in six men (n = 52, 16%) tried new drugs following their most recent deportation, including heroin (n = 31), methamphetamine (n = 5), and heroin/methamphetamine combined (n = 17). Trying new drugs following deportation was independently associated with U.S. incarceration (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.96; 95% confidence interval [C.I.] 1.78, 8.84), increasing numbers of U.S. deportations (AOR = 1.11 per deportation; C.I. 1.03, 1.20), feeling sad following deportation (AOR 2.69; C.I. 1.41, 5.14), and perceiving that one's current lifestyle increases HIV/AIDS risk (AOR 3.91; C.I. 2.05, 7.44). Conclusions: Trying new drugs following U.S. deportation may be related to the unique contexts and stressors experienced by drug-abusing migrants as they attempt to reestablish their lives in Mexico. Findings imply an unmet need for health and social programs to alleviate pre- and post-deportation stressors faced by undocumented and return migrants in the U.S.-Mexico context. © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Author Keywords

Injection drug use Migration Deportation Drug abuse transitions Mexico HIV/AIDS

Index Keywords

lifestyle Human immunodeficiency virus infection logistic regression analysis correlation analysis human risk assessment heroin dependence controlled study priority journal Logistic Models drug dependence Mexico Cross-Sectional Studies informed consent United States cross-sectional study Humans male Socioeconomic Factors questionnaire life stress Article prison high risk behavior Substance Abuse, Intravenous major clinical study adult migration infection risk drug use diamorphine Amphetamine-Related Disorders methamphetamine Loneliness Transients and Migrants retrospective study methamphetamine dependence
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84155172811&doi=10.1016%2fj.drugalcdep.2011.07.012&partnerID=40&md5=0a95d14446fe0a102fe1e243f483b50e
DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2011.07.012
ISSN: 03768716
Cited by: 16
Original Language: English