Correlates of sharing injection equipment among male injecting drug users in Kathmandu, Nepal (International Journal of Drug Policy)

Background: HIV prevalence is high and risky injection practices occur frequently among injecting drug users (IDUs) in Nepal. We explored the correlates of sharing injection equipment (having injected with a needle or syringe previously used by another) among male IDUs in Kathmandu, Nepal.Methods: From August to September 2007, we anonymously interviewed 296 male IDUs in Kathmandu, Nepal, using a structured questionnaire. We performed bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis and identified variables associated with sharing injection equipment.Results: Over half (n = 152) of the participants reported injecting drugs with a needle or syringe previouslyused by another in the past year. Of these, 70% reported engaging in sharing injection equipment with multiple persons. The unavailability of new needles and drinking alcohol were independently associatedwith sharing injection equipment among the study participants.Conclusions: IDUs who drank alcohol or who could not obtain new needles when needed were more likely to share injection equipment. Our results suggest that reducing alcohol use and increasing the availability of new needles and syringes might improve safer injection practices among male IDUs in Kathmandu, Nepal