Department of Public Health, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA.
Subst Abus. 2021;42(4):912-918. doi: 10.1080/08897077.2021.1903650. Epub 2021 Apr 2.
Many women who inject drugs are aware of the associated risks, however social influences play a part in their behavioral decisions. Incorporation of others in drug use behaviors may be common practice among women who use drugs. The aim of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of women's injection drug use experiences with a focus on interpersonal involvement. : Venue-based recruitment was conducted in collaboration with a harm reduction program. A group of 30 women, ages 18 and older, who reported injecting drugs within the past 30 days took part in a demographic survey and semi-structured interview to gain an understanding of their injection practices. In vivo coding and thematic analysis were conducted. Three main themes that relate to incorporating others into injection drug behaviors surfaced, including: (1) injection practices described as we and not I, (2) partnered purchase and drug preparation, and (3) assisted injection. This group of women most often incorporated sexual and/or romantic partners (same and other-gender), friends, or family members into their injection drug use behaviors. Some women described a lack of ability to inject themselves and require assistance every time they use. Women also reported helping other women during drug use behaviors. Our primary themes indicate that a variety of relationship partners are important conceptual links in theoretical frameworks explaining drug use behaviors among women. Findings suggest same gender assistance during drug use behaviors, including injection, that may reduce harm. The interpersonal nature of injection drug use among women may indicate the expansion of treatment options designed for couples or other relationship partners, such as family, together.
许多注射毒品的女性都意识到其中的风险，但社会影响在她们的行为决策中也起到了一定作用。在吸毒女性中，将他人纳入吸毒行为可能是常见做法。本研究旨在深入了解女性的注射毒品使用经验，重点关注人际参与。：在与一个减少伤害计划合作的基础上进行了场所招募。30 名年龄在 18 岁及以上、报告在过去 30 天内注射毒品的女性参加了一项人口统计调查和半结构化访谈，以了解她们的注射习惯。采用现场编码和主题分析。有三个主要主题与将他人纳入注射毒品行为有关，包括：（1）描述为“我们”而不是“我”的注射行为；（2）合作购买和药物准备；（3）协助注射。这群女性最常将性伴侣和/或浪漫伴侣（同性和异性）、朋友或家庭成员纳入她们的注射毒品使用行为。有些女性表示自己无法给自己注射，每次使用都需要帮助。女性还报告在吸毒行为中帮助其他女性。：我们的主要主题表明，各种关系伙伴是解释女性吸毒行为的理论框架中的重要概念联系。研究结果表明，在吸毒行为中包括注射行为时，同性别的帮助可能会减少伤害。女性注射毒品的人际性质可能表明，需要扩大针对夫妻或其他关系伙伴（如家庭）的治疗选择。
