Heroin Cessation and HIV Risk: A Case-Control Study (NIH)

The purpose of this case-control study is to characterize the prognostic indicators, including HIV infection, for the positive outcome of sustained heroin cessation among persons with a prior history of chronic heroin use within economically disadvantaged, predominantly racial/ethnic minority neighborhoods in New York City (NYC). With drug use as a major risk factor for HIV and a chronic relapsing condition, identifying factors that promote sustained cessation can be key to enhancing HIV prevention and treatment efforts.

Dr. Ompad works on several studies that investigate illicit drug use. The IMPACT Study is a cross-sectional study of more than 1,600 individuals recruited from 38 NYC neighborhoods and was designed to examine illicit drug use, sexual risk behavior and mental health. The CHANGE Study is a case-control study with over 1,000 participants designed to identify factors associated with the initiation and maintenance of heroin cessation. In Ukraine, she is studying harm reduction service utilization patterns among injection drug users.  She is also working with other NYU colleagues to study substance use and HIV risk among young gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in New York City.