Relationship between a network’s indicators and basic factors with high-risk behavior of injection among injecting drug users (IDU) via the multiple membership multilevel model

BACKGROUND Among various methods and types of drug abuse, injection receives a great deal of importance because of its related dangerous behavior and health consequences. It seemed that some of the network's indicators affect dangerous behavior of injection. OBJECTIVE To determine the relationship between a network's indicators and basic factors with high-risk behavior of injection among injecting drug users (IDU) via the multiple memberships multilevel model. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, the data related to 147 IDUs in Kerman province, who were interviewed from October 2013 through March 2014, were used, and these addicts were chosen for interview from specific resorts used for common injection. In this study, for analyzing data, multiple membership multilevel model and MLwiN 2.02 software were used. RESULTS In this study, the mean age of people, who were mostly men, was 37.2±9.02. Based on the result, it becomes obvious that variables of in-degree with OR=1.49 (p=0.006) and the whole number of people related to the person with OR=1.18 (p=0.003) influences the high-risk behavior of injection. Also, none of the demographic variables influenced the high-risk behavior of injection. CONCLUSION Totally based on the results of this study, one can find a suitable method in the social network of IDUs in order to create essential strategies, reducing the risk throughout the country. In addition, in minimum time with fewer expenses, aggravation of dangerous behavior especially high-risk behavior of injection can be prevented.