Potential risk factors for injecting among Mexican American non-injecting heroin users

This study examines potential risk factors for resuming and transitioning to injecting among a prospective cohort of 300 Mexican American non-injecting heroin users (NIUs) with distinct injecting histories (i.e., never vs. former injectors). Overall, findings revealed NIUs with an injecting history are more likely to be at greater risk for resuming injecting practices. Of interest, scoring high on acculturation decreased the risk of being a former injector. The present analysis supports previous research, and more importantly further identifies potential risk factors for injecting that are unique to the cultural and social context of the Mexican American community. doi: 10.1300/J233v06n02_05 KEYWORDS. Non-injecting heroin, transitioning, injecting, Mexican Americans, acculturation