Table 2.
Characteristics of Abscess and Self-Treatment Among Persons Who Inject Drugs and Report History of Abscess (n = 258), San Diego, 2009–2010
| n (%) | |
|---|---|
| Date of last abscess | |
| Current abscess | 53 (21) |
| Not current, but within last 6 months | 63 (24) |
| >6 months to ≤1 year | 47 (18) |
| >1 year | 95 (37) |
| No. of lifetime abscesses | |
| 1 | 74 (29) |
| 2–3 | 88 (34) |
| 4–5 | 39 (15) |
| 6–9 | 24 (9) |
| 10+ | 32 (12) |
| Abscess sitea | |
| Arm | 193 (75) |
| Leg | 81 (31) |
| Buttock | 48 (19) |
| Otherb | 107 (41) |
| Increased drug use to cope with abscess pain | |
| Yes | 158 (61) |
| No | 100 (39) |
| Self-treated last abscess | |
| Yes | 156 (60) |
| No | 120 (40) |
a
Site on body where an abscess has ever been.
b
Other” includes head, neck, torso, foot, groin, and other body parts.