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Social domains of discrimination against people who inject drugs: Links with health and wellbeing.

Couto E Cruz C, Salom C, Parsell C, Dietze P, Burns L, Alati R

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  • Journal The International journal on drug policy

  • Published 10 Jan 2020

  • Volume 77

  • Pagination 102620

  • DOI 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.102620

Abstract

People who inject drugs frequently experience discrimination. However, little is known about how discrimination experienced in different social domains is linked to health and wellbeing.

We used data collected in 2016 from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS), an Australian survey of people who inject drugs. We used a modified version of the Discrimination Scale (DISC-12) to assess discriminatory behaviours in diverse social domains, including public institutions, neighbours, family and friends. We used the Kessler-10 scale, the Personal Wellbeing Index and specific items from the IDRS questionnaire to assess participants' health and wellbeing.

=1.5-6.0).

There are significant associations between the domains in which discrimination takes place and the health and wellbeing of people who inject drugs. Our findings highlighted the importance of assessing the social domains of discrimination in relation to mental health. Further research needs to assess not just whether a group or individual is discriminated against, but rather how they are likely to perceive this discrimination and how this experience can affect their life as a whole.