Descriptive analysis of consumption patterns and profile of users of supervised consumption rooms, Catalonia 2017-2022.

Background

Injecting drug use has a major impact on the morbidity and mortality of drug users, and is associated with an increased risk of infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus and hepatitis B virus. In 1980, in a context marked by the HIV epidemic, the first health strategies to reduce the harm and consequences of injecting drug use began to be developed at Catalonia. These strategies included syringe exchange programs, opiate agonist maintenance programs and supervised consumption rooms. Supervised consumption rooms are health services supervised by professionals, and their main objective is to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with drug use, guaranteeing hygienic and safe consumption spaces.

Objective

To know the sociodemographic characteristics, profiles and consumption practices of the users of the consumption rooms in Catalonia and the evolution and changes observed during the period 2017-2022.

Methods

Descriptive cross-sectional study. The study population was all users of the resources of supervised consumption rooms in Catalonia during the period 2017-2022.The source of information used was the register of harm reduction of the information system of addictions of Catalonia; where each access to the supervised consumption rooms and variables related to consumption and the user person are recorded. The variables considered were sex, age, country of origin, substance consumed and route of consumption. A bivariate analysis of consumption practices according to sex, age and country of origin was performed.

Results

During 2022, 2666 people used consumption rooms in Catalonia, 89% were men and the average age was 44 years. The most consumed substances were cocaine (37.5% of the consumptions) and heroin (34.8% of the consumptions); and the main route of consumption was by injection (72% of the consumptions), followed by pulmonary route (27% of the consumptions). Statistically significant differences were observed in consumption practices according to sex and age group. These data reflect a decrease in the number of people using the rooms from 2017 to 2022, and a change in the consumption pattern. In this sense, there is a decrease in heroin consumption and injecting use , and an increase in cocaine consumption and pulmonary use.

Conclusions: 

A deeper understanding of the profile and consumption practices of the users of the consumption rooms contributes to better planning and design of prevention and harm reduction strategies that take into account their needs and are better adjusted to the demand and the health and social needs of the users. The study also reinforces the need for these strategies to be designed with a gender perspective