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Ivasiy R, Madden LM, Meteliuk A, Machavariani E, Ahmad B, Zelenev A, Desai MM, Bromberg DJ, Polonsky M, Galvez de Leon SJ, Farnum SO, Islam Z, Altice FL. The impact of emergency guidance to the COVID-19 pandemic on treatment entry, retention and mortality among patients on methadone in Ukraine. Addiction 2024; 119:1585-1596. [PMID: 38807448 DOI: 10.1111/add.16565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Ukraine's Ministry of Health released urgent COVID-19 guidelines, allowing for early implementation of take-home dosing (THD) for opioid agonist therapies (OAT) such as methadone. Enrollment in OAT and retention in the program are the most effective HIV prevention strategies for people who inject drugs (PWID). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Ukraine's COVID-19 emergency guidance on OAT treatment enrollment, retention on treatment and mortality. DESIGN AND SETTING Using Ukraine's national OAT registry for 252 governmental clinics across 25 regions, we conducted a 12-month comparative prospective cohort survival analysis. This study compared newly enrolled methadone patients within the initial 6 months following the COVID-19 guidance (COVID) with patients from the preceding year (pre-COVID) in a country with high adult HIV prevalence (1.2%) that is concentrated in PWID. PARTICIPANTS In the nation-wide sample of newly enrolled PWID in Ukraine, comprising 2798 individuals, 1423 were in the COVID cohort and 1375 were in the pre-COVID cohort. The majority were male (86.7%), with an average age of 39.3 years. MEASUREMENTS Primary outcomes were average monthly enrollment per cohort, treatment retention and mortality, with internal time-dependent predictors, including THD and optimal (> 85 mg) methadone dosing. RESULTS Relative to the pre-COVID period, the monthly average patient enrollment was statistically significantly higher during the COVID period (283.7 versus 236.0; P < 0.0001), where patients were more likely to transition to THD and achieve optimal dosing earlier. Significant differences were observed in the proportions of person-months on THD (41 versus 13%, P < 0.0001) and optimal dosing (38 versus 31%, P < 0.0001) between the COVID and pre-COVID cohorts. Predictors of treatment retention, expressed as adjusted hazard ratios (aHR), included early THD [aHR = 1.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.47-2.45], early optimal dosing (aHR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.37-2.13) and prior methadone treatment (aHR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.15-1.68). These factors persisted, respectively, in the pre-COVID (aHR = 2.28, 95% CI = 1.41-3.70; aHR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.32-2.56; and aHR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.06-1.74) and COVID (aHR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.40-2.59; aHR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.20-2.16; and aHR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.08-1.94) cohorts. Survival did not differ significantly between the two prospective cohorts. CONCLUSION Ukraine's prompt adoption of early take-home dosing for opioid agonist therapies, such as methadone, following the emergency COVID-19 guidance appears to have increased enrollment into methadone and improved treatment retention for people who inject drugs without adverse effects on patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Ivasiy
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lynn M Madden
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- APT Foundation, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Eteri Machavariani
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Alexei Zelenev
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Mayur M Desai
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Daniel J Bromberg
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Maxim Polonsky
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | | | | | - Frederick L Altice
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- APT Foundation, New Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
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Lohman D, Kononchuk Y, Iovita A, Golichenko M, Rachinska V, Skala P, Gvozdetska O, Myroniuk S, Amon JJ. An implementation evaluation of the Breaking Down human rights barriers to HIV services initiative in Ukraine. J Int AIDS Soc 2024; 27 Suppl 3:e26328. [PMID: 39030861 PMCID: PMC11258427 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Globally, stark inequities exist in access to HIV treatment and prevention. The eastern European and central Asian region is experiencing the sharpest rise in new HIV acquisition and deaths in the world, with low rates of treatment and prevention services, especially for key and vulnerable populations who face a range of human rights-related barriers to HIV prevention and treatment. METHODS An implementation learning evaluation approach was used to examine the implementation of the Breaking Down Barriers initiative targeting key and vulnerable populations in Ukraine. Between September 2022 and April 2023, researchers conducted 23 key informant interviews with individuals from the Ukrainian government, implementing organizations and human rights experts. Using a concurrent triangulation design, researchers and key informants, in a process of co-creation, sought to describe programme accomplishments, challenges and innovations in implementation, between 2021 and 2023, including periods before and after Russia's February 2022 full-scale invasion. RESULTS Eight rights-based interventions related to HIV were identified in Global Fund programme documents and key informant interviews as making up the core of the Breaking Down Barriers initiative in Ukraine. These included programmes seeking to: eliminate stigma and discrimination; ensure the non-discriminatory provision of medical care; promote rights-based law enforcement practices; expand legal literacy ("know your rights"); increase access to justice; improve laws, regulations and policies; reduce gender discrimination, harmful gender norms and violence against women and girls; and mobilize communities for advocacy. These programmes received US$5.9 million in funding. Key informants reported that significant progress had been made addressing human rights barriers and scaling up interventions, both before and after Russia's invasion. Programme implementors adopted innovative approaches, including using paralegals, hotlines and other community-led interventions, to ensure that key and vulnerable populations, including displaced individuals, were able to access prevention and care. CONCLUSIONS An implementation learning evaluation approach examining programmes addressing human rights barriers to HIV services, designed as a process of co-creation between researchers, programme implementors, government officials and human rights experts, can provide a robust assessment of programme outputs, outcomes and evidence of impact, despite a challenging operational environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Joseph J. Amon
- Office of Global Health, Drexel University Dornsife School of Public HealthPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
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Bromberg DJ, Madden LM, Fraenkel L, Muthulingam D, Rhoades D, Dvoriak S, Dumchev K, Pykalo I, Altice FL. Preferences and decisional considerations relating to opioid agonist therapy among Ukrainian people who use drugs: A conjoint analysis survey. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 4:e0002725. [PMID: 38277422 PMCID: PMC10817130 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Scaling up opioid agonist therapies (OAT) is the most effective strategy to control combined HIV and opioid epidemics, especially in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA), where HIV incidence and mortality continue to increase. Patient concerns about OAT, however, have undermined scale-up. The objective of this study is to understand Ukrainian opioid use disorder patient preferences about OAT to guide the development of an evidence-informed decision aid for clinical decision-making. We conducted a conjoint-based choice (CBC) survey. Participants were asked to about their preferences relating to 7 attributes of OAT (cost, dosing frequency, concerns about withdrawal symptoms, adverse side effects, improvements in quality of life, precipitation of withdrawal and legislative requirements to be registered as a drug dependent person) and 20 attribute levels for receiving OAT under differing potential treatment constraints. Data were analyzed using Hierarchical Bayesian models. Using respondent-driven sampling and random sampling, we recruited 2,028 people who inject drugs with opioid use disorder. Relative importance (RIS) and partial-worth utility scores (PWUS) were used to assess preferences for attributes and thresholds within each attribute. Cost and dosing frequency were the most important attributes (RIS = 39.2% and RIS = 25.2%, respectively) to potential patients, followed by concerns about withdrawal symptoms (RIS = 10.8%), adverse side effects (RIS = 9.0%), quality-of-life improvement (RIS = 7.5%), precipitation of euphoria (5.2%) and requirement to be registered as a drug- dependent person (RIS = 3.1%). The monthly cost-threshold for willingness-to-pay was 1,900 UAH ($70 USD). In Ukraine, where both governmental and private OAT clinics have emerged and provide markedly different delivery strategies, preferences are mostly driven by out-of-pocket expenses, despite many patients being willing to pay for OAT. Programmatic demands (flexibility and ease of acquiring medications) remain an important consideration while for a minority, clinical concerns about withdrawal symptoms, adverse side effects and OAT impact on life play a smaller role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Bromberg
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Lynn M. Madden
- APT Foundation, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Liana Fraenkel
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Dharushana Muthulingam
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Delaney Rhoades
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Sergii Dvoriak
- European Institute of Public Health Policy, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | | | - Iryna Pykalo
- European Institute of Public Health Policy, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Frederick L. Altice
- APT Foundation, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
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Dellamura P, Meteliuk A, Fomenko T, Rozanova J. Re-examining provider perceptions of best pre-war practices: what elements can help opiate agonist therapy programs in Ukraine successfully survive the crisis? Front Public Health 2024; 11:1259488. [PMID: 38239802 PMCID: PMC10794633 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1259488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose This paper seeks to explore and understand what constitutes successful opioid agonist therapy (OAT) programs from the views of Ukrainian OAT providers in their context-specific accounts. Prior to the ongoing war the Ukrainian addiction treatment system made great strides to expand its OAT program and increase the number of patients. Since the beginning of the war there has been much alarm that those hard-earned successes will be destroyed. However, emerging evidence suggests that the Ukrainian OAT programs have shown signs of resilience in the face of adversity albeit at great cost. What aspects of the OAT programs developed prior to the crisis have been helpful to allow them to weather the storm? Using the data from 24 addiction treatment providers, this paper describes the essential elements of the OAT programs that preceded the current crisis which made them robust over time. By examining the narratives of the participants interviewed pre-war and pre-COVID-19 the paper reveals structural and cultural elements of the OAT programs before the perfect storm that are likely to endure. To the best of our knowledge, no one else has investigated OAT providers perspectives in Ukraine prior to the crisis which makes this paper extremely salient to understand both the robustness and the vulnerability of MAT programs in Ukraine during the war and going forward. Methodology The data come from qualitative semi-structured interviews with 24 OAT providers throughout 5 regions of Ukraine. Participants included front-line clinicians, head narcologists, and chief doctors from TB clinics, district hospitals and drug addiction centers. Using a coding scheme of 103 inductively developed categories we explored participants' perceptions of their OAT program. Findings In the stories shared by clinicians pre crisis, three major interconnected themes focused on economic uncertainty at the institutional level (leading to under-staffing), structural capacity of the program, and clinicians' professional identity, shaping differing views on application of rules for administrative discharge, take-home dosing, and the potential for scale-up. Knowing the data collection was completely unbiased to the current crisis, interpreting the findings helps us understand that OAT clinicians have had "years" of training under conditions of duress in Ukraine to overcome barriers, find creative solutions and form a support network that became indispensable in surviving the current humanitarian catastrophe. Conclusion In the discussion we point out that the current crisis magnified the pre-existing challenges as the providers approach toward overcoming them was already largely present before the crisis (just on a different scale). The underlying fragility of resources was a constant since OAT inception in Ukraine. Historically, providers in Ukraine operated in a system that was under-funded in the absence of solid governmental funding for OAT programs, yet they came up with solutions which required ingenuity that they took pride in. This gives hope that addiction treatment in Ukraine and OAT programs will not be casualties of this humanitarian crisis and providers and their patients will persevere.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Dellamura
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - A. Meteliuk
- ICF – Alliance for Public Health, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - T. Fomenko
- Ukrainian Alliance for Public Health, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - J. Rozanova
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
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Mazhnaya A, Meteliuk A, Pykalo I, Altice FL. Qualitative exploration of the early experiences of opioid use disorder patients from private clinics after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in five major cities in Ukraine. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1238188. [PMID: 38162610 PMCID: PMC10756895 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1238188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation on 24 February 2022, over 6,000 patients were at risk of potential disruptions in treatment with medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in Ukraine. Before 2022, privatized MOUD clinics had emerged, partly driven by restrictive governmental policies and practices in state-funded facilities. Nevertheless, scant information exists regarding their operation and the patient's experiences, especially during crises. This study seeks to elucidate the initial lived experiences of patients utilizing private MOUD clinics, integrating these insights with an analysis of the responding health system during war. Methods The findings are derived from 20 qualitative semi-structured interviews conducted between March and June 2022, engaging participants from five major Ukrainian cities: Kharkiv, Kyiv, Odesa, Poltava, and Zaporizhzhya. Employing a rapid analysis procedure, we examined the data through descriptive and analytical summaries aligned with the domains of the data collection instrument. Results Emergent themes encompassed stress and uncertainty following the invasion's onset, challenges accessing MOUD, and consequent perceptions concerning state-funded versus private clinics. The study identified disruptions in the operation of private MOUD clinics across most cities examined. Issues pertaining to MOUD medication availability were linked to dosage reductions at state-funded clinics or pharmacy medication shortages or closures. Despite varied experiences at different MOUD clinics and cities, most participants continued their treatment. Discussion This qualitative exploration provides a perspective on lived experiences with MOUD treatment at private clinics amidst the initial months of the invasion, illuminating how the early days' stress, access challenges, varied responses from private MOUD clinics, and precarious conditions informed or altered preferences regarding MOUD treatment options. Moreover, these findings corroborate previously documented efforts by myriad stakeholders to mitigate war-related disruptions to MOUD delivery. These insights contribute to the international understanding of health system navigation and resilience during major crises, offering valuable lessons for preparedness development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyona Mazhnaya
- School of Public Health, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Anna Meteliuk
- International Charitable Foundation “Alliance for Public Health”, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Iryna Pykalo
- Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Frederick L. Altice
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Division of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
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Galvez SJ, Altice FL, Meteliuk A, Ivasiy R, Machavariani E, Farnum SO, Fomenko T, Islam Z, Madden LM. High perceived stress in patients on opioid agonist therapies during rapid transitional response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1231581. [PMID: 38098837 PMCID: PMC10720365 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1231581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in marked disruptions in healthcare delivery in Ukraine related to emergency guidance in response to treating opioid use disorder (OUD). Patients with OUD, a group with high levels of comorbid medical and psychiatric disorders, and prescribed opioid agonist therapies (OAT) were rapidly shifted to take-home dosing if they were deemed clinically stable. The impact of these shifts on patient stress and related substance use during the pandemic, however, is unknown. Methods In early May 2020, 269 randomly selected OAT patients in Ukraine were surveyed to assess their stress level and substance use using the validated Perceived Stress Scale and examined correlates of severe perceived stress. Results Overall, 195 (72.5%) met criteria for moderate to severe levels of stress, which was independently correlated with having started OAT within the past 12 months (aOR: 1.33; 95%CI: 1.15-1.55), living in a large metropolitan area (aOR: 1.31; 95%CI: 1.18-1.46), having been asked by others to share their medication (aOR: 1.13; 95%CI: 1.02-1.25), and having an increase of over 10 min in transportation time to get to treatment (aOR: 1.16; 95%CI: 1.04-1.29). Twenty seven (10%) patients felt at high risk of relapse, while 24 (8.9%) patients reported purchasing drugs. Conclusion During a time of great uncertainty soon after emergency guidance to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was extraordinary high levels of perceived stress reported. In response to emergency guidance, OAT patients should be screened for perceived stress and certain subgroups should be targeted for additional psychosocial support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samy J. Galvez
- Yale School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Frederick L. Altice
- Yale School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, United States
- Division of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States
- APT Foundation, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Anna Meteliuk
- Alliance for Public Health of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Roman Ivasiy
- Yale School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Eteri Machavariani
- Yale School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, United States
| | | | | | - Zahedul Islam
- Alliance for Public Health of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Lynn M. Madden
- Yale School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, United States
- APT Foundation, New Haven, CT, United States
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Nikitin BM, Bromberg DJ, Pykalo I, Ivasiy R, Islam Z, Altice FL. Early disruptions to syringe services programs during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1229057. [PMID: 38074770 PMCID: PMC10702598 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1229057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The widespread HIV epidemic in Ukraine is concentrated among people who inject drugs (PWID), making access to sterile injection paraphernalia (SIP) like sterile needles and syringes a critical method of HIV/AIDS prevention; however, the Russian invasion has threatened to disrupt the operations of syringe services programs (SSPs), creating a risk of HIV outbreaks among PWID. Methods We conducted 10 semi-structured interviews with outreach workers from SSPs. Interviews were purposively sampled to cover three prototypic regions of Ukraine: temporarily Russian-controlled, frontline, and destination. Qualitative results from interviews were then compared against a standardized, nationwide harm reduction database. Results We found that the Russian invasion triggered both supply and demand challenges for SSPs. Demand increased for all regions due to client transitions from pharmacies that closed to SSPs, increases in illicit drug use, greater client openness to NGO support, and displacement of clients to destination regions. Supply decreased for all areas (except for remote destination regions) due to battle-related barriers like curfews, roadblocks, and Internet disruptions; diminished deliveries of SIP and funding; and staff displacement. Time series plots of the number of unique clients accessing harm reduction services showed that an initial decrease in service provision occurred at the start of the war but that most regions recovered within several months except for Russian-controlled regions, which continued to provide services to fewer clients relative to previous years. Conclusion To ensure continued scale-up of SIP and other HIV prevention services, the SyrEx database should be leveraged to serve as a streamlined harm reduction locator that can inform workers and clients of open site locations and other pertinent information.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Iryna Pykalo
- Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Roman Ivasiy
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Zahedul Islam
- International Alliance for Public Health Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
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Morozova O, Ivanchuk I, Gvozdetska O, Nesterova O, Skala P, Kuzin I, Dumchev K. Treatment of opioid use disorder in Ukraine during the first year of the Russia-Ukraine war: Lessons learned from the crisis. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2023; 117:104062. [PMID: 37216758 PMCID: PMC11328943 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 caused major disruptions of societal functions, including health care. Patients receiving medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) depend on receiving daily treatment and face a risk of withdrawal in case of medication supply disruption. MOUD are banned in Russia, making treatment continuation impossible in temporarily occupied areas. In this paper, we review the situation with MOUD delivery in Ukraine during the first year of the Russia-Ukraine war. Legislative changes and mobilization of efforts in the time of crisis ensured treatment continuation for thousands of patients. In areas controlled by Ukraine, most patients were receiving take-home doses for up to 30 days, some experienced temporary dosing reductions. Programs in temporarily occupied regions were shut down likely leading to abrupt withdrawal among many patients. At least 10% of patients have been internally displaced. One year into the war, the number of MOUD patients in governmental clinics of Ukraine increased by 17%, and the data suggest that the coverage of private clinics has also increased. But the risks for program stability remain high as the current medication supply relies on one manufacturing facility. Using lessons learned from the crisis, we provide recommendations for future response to minimize the risks of major adverse outcomes among patients treated for opioid use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Morozova
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Biological Sciences Division, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
| | - Iryna Ivanchuk
- Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Olga Gvozdetska
- Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Olena Nesterova
- Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Pavlo Skala
- International Charitable Foundation "Alliance for Public Health", Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Ihor Kuzin
- Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
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Deac AA, Zaviryukha I, Rozanova J, Zeziulin O, Kiriazova T, Shenoi S, Peycheva A, de Souza RS, Skipper H, Abubakar AA, Gustilo VB, Thornicroft G, Dellamura P, Rich KM, Earnshaw V, Bromberg DJ, Mamedova E, Yariy V. Treatment System Adaptations during War: Lessons from Ukrainian Addiction Treatment Providers. Subst Use Misuse 2023; 58:1447-1450. [PMID: 37317994 PMCID: PMC10527686 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2023.2212377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Background: The war in Ukraine has posed significant challenges to the healthcare system. This paper draws upon expert consultations, held between December 2022 and February 2023, focused on HIV/AIDS, addiction, and mental health service delivery during the first year of this war, and following the Global Mental Health Humanitarian Coalition panel discussion in May 2022. Objectives: This commentary presents the experiences of frontline healthcare workers in Ukraine, challenges, and local adaptations to meet the increased mental health needs of healthcare providers. We aimed to document the adaptations made in the addiction healthcare system and to acknowledge the changes in vulnerabilities and lessons learned. Results: Burnout among healthcare providers delivering addiction, HIV/AIDS and mental health services became more visible after the second half of 2022. Challenges included increased workload, contextual threats, lack of job relocation strategies, and money-follow-the-patient policies. Recommendations: The lessons from the first year of war in Ukraine hold significant generalizability to other contexts. These include enabling bottom-up approaches to tailoring services and allowing healthcare providers to respond to the dynamics of war in an effective and active manner. Other recommendations include departmental-specific resources and strategies, particularly as vulnerable groups and challenges are unstable in humanitarian contexts. Conclusions: Globally and in Ukraine, healthcare workers need more than applause. Along with monetary incentives, other strategies to prevent burnout, ensure sustainable capacity building, job relocation opportunities, and bespoke adaptations are imperative to protect healthcare providers' wellbeing and overall public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra A. Deac
- Department of Health Service and Population Research, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | | | - Julia Rozanova
- Department of Health Service and Population Research, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS (CIRA), Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | | | | | - Sheela Shenoi
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS (CIRA), Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Anna Peycheva
- Department of Health Service and Population Research, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Renata Solórzano de Souza
- Department of Health Service and Population Research, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Harry Skipper
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Asmau A. Abubakar
- Department of Health Service and Population Research, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - V. Benjamin Gustilo
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Graham Thornicroft
- Centre for Global Mental Health and Centre for Implementation Science, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Paula Dellamura
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | | | - Valerie Earnshaw
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Daniel J. Bromberg
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS (CIRA), Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | | | - Volodymyr Yariy
- Kyiv City Addiction Treatment Clinic “Sociotherapy”, Kyiv, Ukraine
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Ivanchuk I. Medications for opioid use disorder during the war in Ukraine: a more comprehensive view on the government response. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. EUROPE 2023; 26:100582. [PMID: 36714275 PMCID: PMC9879775 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2022.100582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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Ivasiy R, Galvez de Leon SJ, Meteliuk A, Fomenko T, Pykalo I, Bromberg DJ, Madden LM, Farnum SO, Islam Z, Altice FL. Responding to health policy recommendations on managing opioid use disorder during Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Divergent responses from the frontline to the west. Front Public Health 2023; 10:1044677. [PMID: 36711398 PMCID: PMC9880308 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1044677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, followed by Ukraine's Martial law, has disrupted the routine delivery of healthcare services, including opioid agonist treatment (OAT) programs. Directors (chief addiction treatment physicians) of these programs in each region had flexibility with implementing a series of adaptations to their practice to respond to war disruptions like mass internal displacement and legislation updates allowing more flexibility with OAT distribution policies and take-home dosing regulations. We conducted 8 in-depth interviews with directors from seven regions of Ukraine to describe their experiences providing OAT during a specific time during the war and the local crisis-response approach under the emergency policy updates. We categorized their experiences according to the level of exposure to conflict in each region and displacement of patients across the country, which may provide future guidance for OAT provision during the conflict.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Ivasiy
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | | | - Anna Meteliuk
- International Charitable Foundation Alliance for Public Health, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Tetiana Fomenko
- International Charitable Foundation Alliance for Public Health, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Iryna Pykalo
- Ukrainian Institute of Public Health Policy, Kyiv, Ukraine,*Correspondence: Iryna Pykalo ✉
| | - Daniel J. Bromberg
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States,Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Lynn M. Madden
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States,APT Foundation, New Haven, CT, United States
| | | | - Zahedul Islam
- International Charitable Foundation Alliance for Public Health, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Frederick L. Altice
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States,Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States,APT Foundation, New Haven, CT, United States,Division of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States
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