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Prevalence and correlates of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity among people who inject drugs in the San Diego-Tijuana border region.

Steffanie A StrathdeeDaniela AbramovitzAlicia Harvey-VeraCarlos F VeraGudelia RangelIrina ArtamonovaAntoine ChaillonCaroline IgnacioAlhelí Calderón-VillarrealNatasha K MartinThomas L Patterson
Published in: PloS one (2021)
In this community-based study of people who inject drugs in the San Diego-Tijuana border region, over one third were SARS-CoV-2 seropositive, exceeding estimates from the general population in either city. We found no evidence that substance use behaviors were associated with an elevated risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, but observed that circumstances in the risk environment, notably sex work and incarceration, were independently associated with higher SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence. Our findings suggest that a binational policy response to COVID-19 mitigation is warranted beyond the closure of the U.S.-Mexico border. Furthermore, decriminalizing sex work and drug use could reduce the burden of COVID-19 among people who inject drugs.
Keyphrases
  • sars cov
  • respiratory syndrome coronavirus
  • healthcare
  • mental health
  • risk factors
  • public health
  • coronavirus disease
  • climate change