Mobility patterns of Aboriginal injection drug users between on- and off-reserve settings in northern British Columbia, Canada.

OBJECTIVES

In Canada, public health policymakers and Aboriginal health service leaders have warned that the reciprocal movement of Aboriginal injection drug users (IDUs) between urban and rural settings may serve as a critical vector for the continuing spread of HIV among Aboriginal peoples. The current study aimed to describe the mobility patterns of Aboriginal injection drug users between on- and off-reserve locations in northern British Columbia.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective medical-chart review of inpatient detoxification records.

METHODS

We employed a medical-chart review of all self-reported Aboriginal IDUs (n = 302) admitted at least twice to an adult inpatient hospital-based substance-abuse detoxification treatment centre between 4 January 1999 and 31 December 2005, and analysed place-of-residence transitions between on- and off-reserve settings.

RESULTS

Over the course of the 7-year study period, 26% (n = 73) of Aboriginal IDUs changed their primary residence from an off-reserve to an on-reserve location. Almost all (96%, n = 23) of those living on-reserve at their first IDU-related admission had moved to an off-reserve setting at a subsequent visit.

CONCLUSIONS

The high rates of reciprocal movement between on- and off-reserve locations are a critical public health concern. The results show that the problems associated with both IDU and infectious disease are not limited to urban centres. Our results stand as a clear call for support of Aboriginal-directed, culturally appropriate and accessible services to reduce IDU-related harms. The specifics of such programs are a topic for Aboriginal health care leaders and the communities themselves to discuss, develop and implement.