Cross-border paid plasma donation among injection drug users in two Mexico–U.S. border cities

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• 作者：Patricia Volkow ; Kimberly C. Brouwer ; Oralia Loza ; Rebeca Ramos ; Remedios Lozada ; Richard S. Garfein ; Carlos Magis-Rodriguez ; Michelle Firestone-Cruz ; Steffanie A. Strathdee
• 刊名：The International Journal of Drug Policy
• 出版年：2009
• 出版时间：September 2009
• 年：2009
• 卷：20
• 期：5
• 页码：409-412
• 全文大小：144 K

文摘

class=""h4"">Objective

Paid plasma donation has contributed to HIV epidemics in many countries. Eleven million liters of plasma are fractionated annually in the U.S., mainly from paid donors. Deferral of high-risk donors such as injection drug users (IDUs) is required for paid donations. We studied circumstances surrounding paid plasma donation among IDUs in two Mexico–U.S. border cities.

class=""h4"">Methods

In 2005, IDUs ≥18 years old in Tijuana (N = 222) and Cd. Juarez (N = 206) who injected in the last month were recruited through respondent-driven sampling. Subjects underwent antibody testing for HIV and HCV and an interviewer-administered survey including questions on donating and selling whole blood and plasma.

class=""h4"">Results

Of 428 IDUs, HIV and HCV prevalence were 3 % and 96 % , respectively; 75 (17.5 % ) reported ever having donated/sold their blood or plasma, of whom 28 (37 % ) had sold their plasma for an average of $16 USD. The majority of IDUs selling plasma were residents of Ciudad Juarez (82 % ); 93 % had sold their plasma only in the U.S. The last time they sold their plasma, 65 % of IDUs had been asked if they injected drugs. Although the median time since last selling plasma was 13 years ago, 3 had done so within the prior 2 years, one within the prior 6 months; of these 3 IDUs, 2 were from Cd. Juarez, one from Tijuana; all 3 had only sold their plasma in the U.S.

class=""h4"">Conclusions

Although selling plasma appears uncommon among IDUs in these two Mexican border cities, the majority sold plasma in the U.S. and only one-third were deferred as high-risk donors. Paying donors for plasma should be a matter of public inquiry to encourage strict compliance with regulations. Plasma clinics should defer donors not only on behavioral risks, but should specifically inspect for injection stigmata.