Table 3.
Multivariable ordinal regression analysis of factors associated with a self-reported perceived risk of fentanyl overdose among persons who use illicit drugs (n = 1137) and answered questions about their perceived risk of having a fentanyl overdose, Vancouver, British Columbia, December 2016–May 2017a
| Variable | Adjusted Odds Ratio (95% Confidence Interval) [P Value]b |
|---|---|
| Age (per year older) | 1.02 (1.01-1.04) [<.001] |
| Sex (female vs male) | 0.77 (0.58-1.03) [.08] |
| HIV positivec (yes vs no) | 0.87 (0.65-1.16) [.35] |
| Residence in Downtown Eastsidec,d (yes vs no) | 0.86 (0.64-1.15) [.31] |
| Incarcerationc (yes vs no) | 0.50 (0.27-0.93) [.03] |
| Engagement in addiction treatmentc (yes vs no) | 0.73 (0.55-0.96) [.03] |
| Drug dealingc (yes vs no) | 1.13 (0.76-1.69) [.53] |
| Had a previous overdosec (yes vs no) | 0.28 (0.19-0.42) [<.001] |
| Injection drug usec | 0.34 (0.24-0.47) [<.001] |
| Daily drug usec | |
| Heroin | 0.92 (0.64-1.33) [.66] |
| Stimulants, defined as powder or crack cocaine or crystal methamphetamine | 0.85 (0.62-1.17) [.32] |
| Cannabis | 1.07 (0.79-1.45) [.68] |
| Fentanyl exposurec,e | |
| No exposure | 1 [Reference] |
| Aware of exposure | 0.34 (0.24-0.48) [<.001] |
| Unaware of exposure | 0.69 (0.44-1.09) [.12] |
aData sources: Vancouver Injection Drug Users Study, AIDS Care Cohort to Evaluate Exposure to Survival Services, At-Risk Youth Study.12-14 Of 1166 study participants, 1095 had fentanyl risk knowledge, defined as being able to identify an overdose risk associated with exposure to fentanyl (yes vs no); 1137 participants answered questions about their perceived risk of having a fentanyl overdose. The reference group for the outcome is moderate or high perceived risk of fentanyl overdose. For example, participants who perceived a lower risk of having a fentanyl overdose were less likely to report a previous overdose.
bP < .05 was considered significant.
cBehaviors and events in the past 6 months (coded as yes or no).
dThis area of Vancouver is known to be the epicenter of drug use in British Columbia.15
eNo exposure defined as testing negative for fentanyl in a urine drug screen and self-reporting no possible exposure to fentanyl; unaware of exposure defined as testing positive for fentanyl in a urine drug screen and self-reporting no possible exposure to fentanyl; and aware of exposure defined as self-reporting having used fentanyl or any drugs they believe were contaminated with fentanyl, regardless of urine drug screen results.