Background: Injection drug use syringe filters (IDUSF) are designed to prevent several complications related to the\r\ninjection of drugs. Due to their small pore size, their use can reduce the solutionâ��s insoluble particle content and\r\nthus diminish the prevalence of phlebitis, talcosis.... Their low drug retention discourages from filter reuse and\r\nsharing and can thus prevent viral and microbial infections. In France, drug users have access to sterile cotton\r\nfilters for 15 years and to an IDUSF (the Sterifilt�®) for 5 years. This study was set up to explore the factors\r\ninfluencing filter preference amongst injecting drug users.\r\nMethods: Quantitative and qualitative data were gathered through 241 questionnaires and the participation of 23\r\npeople in focus groups.\r\nResults: Factors found to significantly influence filter preference were duration and frequency of injecting drug\r\nuse, the type of drugs injected and subculture. Furthermore, IDUâ��s rationale for the preference of one type of filter\r\nover others was explored. It was found that filter preference depends on perceived health benefits (reduced harms,\r\nprevention of vein damage, protection of injection sites), drug retention (low retention: better high, protective\r\nmechanism against the reuse of filters; high retention: filter reuse as a protective mechanism against withdrawal),\r\ntechnical and practical issues (filter clogging, ease of use, time needed to prepare an injection) and believes (the\r\nconviction that a clear solution contains less active compound).\r\nConclusion: It was concluded that the factors influencing filter preference are in favour of change; a shift towards\r\nthe use of more efficient filters can be made through increased availability, information and demonstrations.
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