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Simpson KA, Bolshakova M, Kirkpatrick MG, Davis JP, Cho J, Barrington-Trimis J, Kral AH, Bluthenthal RN. Characterizing Opioid Withdrawal Experiences and Consequences Among a Community Sample of People Who Use Opioids. Subst Use Misuse 2024; 59:886-894. [PMID: 38287506 PMCID: PMC11062512 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2024.2306221] [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] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioid withdrawal symptoms are a highly salient and consequential health condition experienced by people who use opioids (PWUO). This study utilized qualitative interviews to explore opioid withdrawal experiences and consequences among PWUO in Los Angeles County, USA. METHODS Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 22 PWUO (aged 27-63 years) between May 2021 and May 2022. Participants self-reported opioid and injection drug use in the last 30 days. We employed an inductive thematic approach to systematically code and synthesize textual interview data. RESULTS Participants experienced withdrawal symptoms frequently, with many going to great lengths to avoid them. Withdrawal pain was described as incapacitating and interfered with PWUO's ability to sustain regular employment and ensure stable housing. Avoiding withdrawal was described as influential in driving decisions to continue using opioids. Mechanisms for managing withdrawal included using other substances to the point of sedation. PWUO who transitioned from heroin to fentanyl use revealed more frequent, painful, and faster onset of withdrawal symptoms. Adverse withdrawal experiences and fear of precipitated withdrawal from buprenorphine were barriers to treatment initiation and continuation. CONCLUSION Withdrawal symptoms among PWUO increase health risk. Improved strategies to treat opioid withdrawal are urgently needed. Solutions such as safe supply and intentional opioid withdrawal interventions (educational trainings, withdrawal comfort kits) are needed to improve withdrawal management and reduce opioid-related harm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey A. Simpson
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500, Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, 1845 N. Soto St. Los Angeles, CA 90033
| | - Maria Bolshakova
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, 1845 N. Soto St. Los Angeles, CA 90033
| | - Matthew G. Kirkpatrick
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, 1845 N. Soto St. Los Angeles, CA 90033
| | - Jordan P. Davis
- University of Southern California Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, 669 W 34th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | - Junhan Cho
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, 1845 N. Soto St. Los Angeles, CA 90033
| | - Jessica Barrington-Trimis
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, 1845 N. Soto St. Los Angeles, CA 90033
| | - Alex H. Kral
- Community Health Research Division, RTI International, 2150 Shattuck Avenue, Suite 800, Berkeley, CA 94704
| | - Ricky N. Bluthenthal
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, 1845 N. Soto St. Los Angeles, CA 90033
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Frank D, Elliott L, Cleland CM, Walters SM, Joudrey PJ, Russell DM, Meyerson BE, Bennett AS. "As safe as possible": a qualitative study of opioid withdrawal and risk behavior among people who use illegal opioids. Harm Reduct J 2023; 20:158. [PMID: 37891630 PMCID: PMC10605476 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00893-9] [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: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioid withdrawal is a regular occurrence among many people who use illicit opioids (PWUIO) that has also been shown to increase their willingness to engage in risk-involved behavior. The proliferation of fentanyl in the illicit opioid market may have amplified this relationship, potentially putting PWUIO at greater risk of negative health outcomes. Understanding the relationship between withdrawal and risk-involved behavior may also have important implications for the ways that problematic drug use is conceptualized, particularly in disease models of addiction, which position risk behavior as evidence of pathology that helps to justify ontological distinctions between addicts and non-addicts. Examining withdrawal, and its role in PWUIO's willingness to engage in risk, may aid in the development of alternative theories of risk involvement and create discursive spaces for de-medicalizing and de-othering people who use illegal drugs. METHODS This article is based on 32 semi-structured interviews with PWUIO in the New York City area who also reported recent withdrawal experience. Interviews were conducted remotely between April and August 2022 and recorded for later transcription. Data were then coded and analyzed based on a combination of inductive and deductive coding strategies and informed by the literature. RESULTS Participants described a strong relationship between withdrawal and their willingness to engage in risk-involved behavior that was exacerbated by the proliferation of fentanyl. Yet, their descriptions did not align with narratives of risk as a product of bad decisions made by individuals. Rather, data demonstrated the substantial role of social and structural context, particularly drug policies like prohibition and criminalization, in the kinds of risks that PWUIO faced and their ability to respond to them. CONCLUSIONS Withdrawal should be taken more seriously both from an ethical perspective and as an important catalyst of risk behavior. However, theories that position activities taken to avoid withdrawal as irrational and as evidence of pathology are poorly aligned with the complexity of PWUIO's actual lives. We recommend the use of less deterministic and less medicalized theories of risk that better account for differences between how people view the world, and for the role of socio-structural forces in the production of risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Frank
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA.
- Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA.
- , Woodside, NY, 11377, USA.
| | - Luther Elliott
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
- Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Charles M Cleland
- Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
- Department of Population Health, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Suzan M Walters
- Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Paul J Joudrey
- Division of General Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Danielle M Russell
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85711, USA
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85711, USA
| | - Beth E Meyerson
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85711, USA
| | - Alex S Bennett
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
- Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
- Center for Anti-Racism, Social Justice, and Public Health, 708 Broadway, 9th floor, New York, NY, 10003, USA
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Frank D, Krawczyk N, Arshonsky J, Bragg MA, Friedman SR, Bunting AM. COVID-19-Related Changes to Drug-Selling Networks and Their Effects on People Who Use Illicit Opioids. J Stud Alcohol Drugs 2023; 84:222-229. [PMID: 36971722 PMCID: PMC10171252 DOI: 10.15288/jsad.21-00438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected people's ability to buy, sell, and obtain items that they use in their daily lives. It may have had a particularly negative effect on the ability of people who use illicit opioids to obtain them because the networks they relied on are illicit and not part of the formal economy. Our objective in this research was to examine if, and how, disruptions related to COVID-19 of illicit opioid markets have affected people who use illicit opioids. METHOD We collected 300 posts--including replies to posts--related to the intersection of COVID-19 and opioid use from Reddit.com, a forum that has several discussion threads (i.e., subreddits) dedicated to opioids. We then coded posts from the two most popular opioid subreddits during the early pandemic period (March 5, 2020-May 13, 2020) using an inductive/deductive approach. RESULTS We found two themes related to active opioid use during the early pandemic: (a) changes in drug supply and difficulty obtaining opioids, and (b) buying less-trustworthy drugs from lesser-known sources. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that COVID-19 has created market conditions that place people who use opioids at risk of adverse outcomes, such as fatal overdose.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Frank
- NYU School of Global Public Health, New York, New York
| | - Noa Krawczyk
- Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Joshua Arshonsky
- Section on Health Choice, Policy, and Evaluation, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Marie A. Bragg
- Section on Health Choice, Policy, and Evaluation, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
- Department of Public Health Nutrition, NYU School of Global Public Health, New York, New York
| | - Sam R. Friedman
- Section on Health Choice, Policy, and Evaluation, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Amanda M. Bunting
- Section on Tobacco, Alcohol, & Drug Use, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
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Ozga JE, Syvertsen JL, Zweifler JA, Pollini RA. A community-based study of abscess self-treatment and barriers to medical care among people who inject drugs in the United States. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2022; 30:1798-1808. [PMID: 34469034 PMCID: PMC8885857 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are the most common medical complication of injection drug use in the United States, though little work has been done assessing SSTI treatment among people who inject drugs (PWID). We examined past-3-month abscess characteristics, treatment utilization, and barriers to medical treatment among N = 494 community-recruited PWID. We used descriptive statistics to determine the frequencies of self-treatment and medical treatment for their most recent past-3-month abscess as well as barriers to seeking medical treatment. We then used bivariate and multivariate logistic regression to identify factors associated with having an abscess in the past 3 months. Overall, 67% of participating PWID ever had an abscess and 23% had one in the past 3 months. Only 29% got medical treatment for their most recent abscess whereas 79% self-treated. Methods for self-treatment included pressing the pus out (81%), applying a hot compress (79%), and applying hydrogen peroxide (67%). Most (91%) self-treated abscesses healed without further intervention. Barriers to medical treatment included long wait times (56%), being afraid to go (49%), and not wanting to be identified as a PWID (46%). Factors associated independently with having an abscess in the past 3 months were injecting purposely into muscle tissue (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.64), having difficulty finding a vein (AOR = 2.08), and sharing injection preparation equipment (AOR = 1.74). Our findings emphasize the importance of expanding community-based access to SSTI education and treatment services, particularly at syringe service programs where PWID may be more comfortable seeking resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny E. Ozga
- Department of Behavioral Medicine & Psychiatry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | | | - John A. Zweifler
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California San Francisco-Fresno, Fresno, CA, USA
| | - Robin A. Pollini
- Department of Behavioral Medicine & Psychiatry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Calverton, MD, USA
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Xavier J, Greer A, Pauly B, Loyal J, Mamdani Z, Ackermann E, Barbic S, Buxton JA. "There are solutions and I think we're still working in the problem": The limitations of decriminalization under the good Samaritan drug overdose act and lessons from an evaluation in British Columbia, Canada. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2022; 105:103714. [PMID: 35561485 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drug prohibition has been associated with increased risk of overdose. However, drug prohibition remains the dominant drug policy, including in Canada with the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. In 2017, the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act (GSDOA) was enacted, to encourage people to contact emergency medical services by providing bystanders at the scene of an overdose with legal protection for simple possession and conditions related to simple possession. METHODS We conducted an evaluation of the GSDOA in British Columbia, Canada that included one-on-one interviews with people who use illicit drugs (PWUD), to determine peoples' experiences and perceptions surrounding this form of decriminalization. We present findings from a thematic analysis of 37 interviews. RESULTS We identified limitations of the GSDOA at overdose events; key themes and concerns causing PWUD to hesitate to or avoid contacting emergency medical services included drug confiscation, the thin line between simple possession and drug trafficking, and enforcement of other charges and court ordered conditions that are not legally protected by the GSDOA. Moreover, participants discussed the GSDOA as inequitable; benefiting some while excluding PWUD with intersecting marginalized identities. CONCLUSION Our findings are pertinent in light of many jurisdictions across the world considering dejure decriminalization, including BC and Vancouver. The GSDOA and associated limitations that emerged in our evaluation can serve to guide jurisdictions implementing or amending dejure decriminalization policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Xavier
- British Columbia Center for Disease Control,655W 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada
| | - Alissa Greer
- School of Criminology, Simon Fraser University,8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Bernadette Pauly
- School of Nursing, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, HSD Building, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Jackson Loyal
- British Columbia Center for Disease Control,655W 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada
| | - Zahra Mamdani
- British Columbia Center for Disease Control,655W 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada
| | - Emma Ackermann
- British Columbia Center for Disease Control,655W 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada
| | - Skye Barbic
- Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University of British Columbia, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Jane A Buxton
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 E Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z8, Canada; British Columbia Center for Disease Control,655W 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada.
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Kimmel SD, Phillips KT, Anderson BJ, Stein MD. Characteristics associated with motivation to stop substance use and improve skin and needle hygiene among hospitalized patients who inject drugs. Subst Abus 2022; 43:878-883. [PMID: 35179454 PMCID: PMC9907781 DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2021.2007520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Background: Hospitalizations for people who inject drugs (PWID) are opportunities to address substance use. However, little is known about hospitalized PWIDs' motivation to stop substance use or improve skin and needle hygiene, common means for reducing injection sequelae. Methods: We used baseline data from a randomized controlled trial of a behavioral intervention to improve skin and needle hygiene among 252 hospitalized PWID between January 2014 and June 2018. We examined motivation (scale 1-10) to stop substance use, use new needles, and clean skin and used multiple linear regression models to evaluate characteristics associated with these outcomes. Results: PWID were recruited during injection-related (154, 61.1%) and non-injection-related hospitalizations (98, 38.9%). Motivation to stop substance use was 7.11 (SD = 2.67), use new needles was 7.8 (SD = 1.9), and clean skin was 6.7 (SD = 2.3). In adjusted models, experiencing an injection-related hospitalization was not significantly associated (p > 0.05) with motivation to stop substance use (β = -0.76, SE = 0.299), use new needles (β = 0.301, SE = 0.255), or clean skin (β = 0.476, SE = 0.323). Number of past-year skin and soft tissue infections was negatively associated with motivation to use new needles (β = -0.109, SE = 0.049, p < 0.05) and clean skin (β = -0.131, SE = 0.062, p < 0.05). Greater opioid withdrawal was associated with lower motivation to use new needles (β = -0.275, SE = 0.92, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Among hospitalized PWID, motivation to stop substance use and improve skin and needle hygiene was moderately high, but injection-related hospitalizations were not associated with greater motivation. Efforts to reduce injection sequelae for all hospitalized PWID are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simeon D. Kimmel
- Clinical Addiction Education and Research Unit, Sections of General Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA
| | - Kristina T. Phillips
- Center for Integrated Health Care Research, Kaiser Permanent Hawaii, Honolulu, HI
| | | | - Michael D. Stein
- Behavioral Medicine and Addiction Research, Butler Hospital, Providence, RI, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston MA
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Association of skin infections with sharing of injection drug preparation equipment among people who inject drugs. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 94:103198. [PMID: 33744668 PMCID: PMC8373634 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sharing needles and injection drug preparation equipment (IDPE) among people who inject drugs (PWID) are well-established risk factors for viral transmission. Shared needles and IDPE may serve as bacterial niduses for skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI). Given the rising rates of SSTI in PWID, we investigated the association of needle and IDPE sharing on incidence of SSTI in a cohort of PWID. METHODS Inpatient PWID (N = 252) were recruited to a randomized controlled trial of an intervention aimed at reducing infections. The primary outcome was self-reported incidence of SSTI one-year post-hospitalization. In this secondary analysis, we assessed two variables: 1) sharing of IDPE alone, 2) sharing needles with or without IDPE, and compared these groups separately to persons who reported no sharing of needles or IDPE via a mixed-effects negative binomial regression model to estimate the effect of baseline sharing behavior on SSTI during follow-up via incidence rate ratios (IRR). RESULTS Participant characteristics: 38 years [mean], 58% male, 60% White, 90% primarily injected opioids, 1.58 (± 2.35) mean SSTI in the year prior to baseline. In terms of sharing behavior, 29% didn't share needles or IDPE, 13% shared IDPE only, and 58% shared needles with or without IDPE three months prior to baseline. After adjusting for co-variables, PWID who shared IDPE alone had a 2.2 fold higher IRR of SSTI (95%CI 1.27; 3.85, p = 0.005) and PWID who shared needles with or without IDPE had a 3.31 fold higher IRR of SSTI (95%CI 2.04; 5.37, p < 0.001), compared to those who did not share any equipment. The number of SSTI at baseline was associated with an IRR of 1.20 of SSTI during follow-up (95%CI 1.09; 1.32, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In this cohort of hospitalized PWID, we found a significant association between baseline sharing of IDPE alone and of sharing of needles with or without IDPE with one-year incidence of SSTI.
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Zhao J, Kral AH, Simpson KA, Ceasar RC, Wenger LD, Kirkpatrick M, Bluthenthal RN. Factors associated with methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms among people who inject drugs. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 223:108702. [PMID: 33894459 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Regular methamphetamine (MA) use can result in withdrawal syndrome characterized by fatigue, agitation, depression, and anxiety. No studies that we are aware of have examined the prevalence and predictors of MA withdrawal symptoms among people who inject drugs (PWID). METHODS PWID were recruited using targeted sampling methods in Los Angeles and San Francisco, California from 2016 to 2017. Survey questions included demographics, drug use, and MA withdrawal symptoms, frequency, and symptom severity. Participants who reported regular MA use (> 12 times in the last 30 days) were included in this analysis (N = 595). Multivariable regression models were developed to examine factors associated with any MA withdrawal, withdrawal frequency, symptom severity, and receptive syringe sharing. RESULTS MA withdrawal symptoms in the past 6 months were reported by 53 % of PWID, with 25 % reporting weekly withdrawal symptoms, and 20 % reporting very or extremely painful symptoms. In multivariable logistic regression, presence of any MA withdrawal symptoms was positively associated with more frequent MA use and non-injection tranquilizer use and inversely associated with crack cocaine use. Among those reporting any withdrawal, female sex was associated with more frequent withdrawal symptoms. Very or extremely painful withdrawal symptoms were associated with being in residential treatment. Receptive syringe sharing was associated with any MA withdrawal symptoms and weekly frequency of symptoms. CONCLUSION MA withdrawal symptoms are common among PWID and are associated with receptive syringe sharing. Strategies for implementing MA use treatment, safe supply programs, and syringe services programs targeting people who inject MA are indicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnathan Zhao
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1975 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, United States
| | - Alex H Kral
- RTI International, 2150 Shattuck Avenue, Suite 800, Berkeley, CA, 94704, United States
| | - Kelsey A Simpson
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute for Prevention Research, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2001 N Soto St, 3rd Floor, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, United States
| | - Rachel Carmen Ceasar
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute for Prevention Research, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2001 N Soto St, 3rd Floor, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, United States
| | - Lynn D Wenger
- RTI International, 2150 Shattuck Avenue, Suite 800, Berkeley, CA, 94704, United States
| | - Matt Kirkpatrick
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute for Prevention Research, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2001 N Soto St, 3rd Floor, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, United States
| | - Ricky N Bluthenthal
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute for Prevention Research, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2001 N Soto St, 3rd Floor, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, United States.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES Skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTI) among people who inject drugs (PWID) are common and represent a significant public health burden. In the current study, we examined the relationship between perceived behavioral control and perceived barriers to cleaning skin before injecting drugs. METHODS Participants (n = 248; 37.9 [±10.7] years of age, 58.5% male, 59.3% white, 16.1% Hispanic) were patients seeking medical care at a large urban hospital in the northeastern United States. We used ordinary least squares regression to estimate the associations between perceived barriers to skin cleaning with background characteristics and perceived behavioral control. RESULTS Controlling for background and other study variables, greater number of past-year skin abscesses was associated with greater level of perceived barriers to skin cleaning (P < 0.001), whereas higher level of education and higher perceived behavioral control were associated with lower levels of perceived barriers to skin cleaning (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Interventions aiming to reduce the likelihood for SSTI among people who inject drugs may benefit from strengthening individual's behavioral control and providing skin cleaning skills training.
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Monroe-Wise A, Mbogo L, Guthrie B, Bukusi D, Sambai B, Chohan B, Scott J, Cherutich P, Musyoki H, Bosire R, Dunbar M, Macharia P, Masyuko S, Wilkinson E, De Oliveira T, Ludwig-Barron N, Sinkele B, Herbeck J, Farquhar C. Peer-mediated HIV assisted partner services to identify and link to care HIV-positive and HCV-positive people who inject drugs: a cohort study protocol. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e041083. [PMID: 33895711 PMCID: PMC8074565 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Targeted, tailored interventions to test high-risk individuals for HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are vital to achieving HIV control and HCV microelimination in Africa. Compared with the general population, people who inject drugs (PWID) are at increased risk of HIV and HCV and are less likely to be tested or successfully treated. Assisted partner services (APS) increases HIV testing among partners of people living with HIV and improves case finding and linkage to care. We describe a study in Kenya examining whether APS can be adapted to find, test and link to HIV care the partners of HIV-positive PWID using a network of community-embedded peer educators (PEs). Our study also identifies HCV-positive partners and uses phylogenetic analysis to determine risk factors for onward transmission of both viruses. METHODS This prospective cohort study leverages a network of PEs to identify 1000 HIV-positive PWID for enrolment as index participants. Each index completes a questionnaire and provides names and contact information of all sexual and injecting partners during the previous 3 years. PEs then use a stepwise locator protocol to engage partners in the community and bring them to study sites for enrolment, questionnaire completion and rapid HIV and HCV testing. Outcomes include number and type of partners per index who are mentioned, enrolled, tested, diagnosed with HIV and HCV and linked to care. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Potential index participants are screened for intimate partner violence (IPV) and those at high risk are not eligible to enrol. Those at medium risk are monitored for IPV following enrolment. A community advisory board engages in feedback and discussion between the community and the research team. A safety monitoring board discusses study progress and reviews data, including IPV monitoring data. Dissemination plans include presentations at quarterly Ministry of Health meetings, local and international conferences and publications. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03447210, Pre-results stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliza Monroe-Wise
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Loice Mbogo
- HIV Testing and Counseling and HIV Prevention, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Brandon Guthrie
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - David Bukusi
- HIV Testing and Counseling and HIV Prevention, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Betsy Sambai
- HIV Testing and Counseling and HIV Prevention, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Bhavna Chohan
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - John Scott
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | | | - Rose Bosire
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Matthew Dunbar
- Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology, University of Washinigton, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Sarah Masyuko
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Kenya's Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Eduan Wilkinson
- KwaZulu-Natal Research and Innovation Sequencing Platform, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Tulio De Oliveira
- KwaZulu-Natal Research and Innovation Sequencing Platform, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | | | - Bill Sinkele
- Support for Addiction Prevention and Treatment in Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joshua Herbeck
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Carey Farquhar
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Mezaache S, Briand-Madrid L, Rahni L, Poireau J, Branchu F, Moudachirou K, Wendzinski Y, Carrieri P, Roux P. A two-component intervention to improve hand hygiene practices and promote alcohol-based hand rub use among people who inject drugs: a mixed-methods evaluation. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:211. [PMID: 33632143 PMCID: PMC7905764 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-05895-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Inconsistent hand hygiene puts people who inject drugs (PWID) at high risk of infectious diseases, in particular skin and soft tissue infections. In healthcare settings, handwashing with alcohol-based hand rubs (ABRH) is recommended before aseptic procedures including intravenous injections. We aimed to evaluate the acceptability, safety and preliminary efficacy of an intervention combining ABHR provision and educational training for PWID. Methods A mixed-methods design was used including a pre-post quantitative study and a qualitative study. Participants were active PWID recruited in 4 harm reduction programmes of France and followed up for 6 weeks. After baseline assessment, participants received a face-to-face educational intervention. ABHR was then provided throughout the study period. Quantitative data were collected through questionnaires at baseline, and weeks 2 (W2) and 6 (W6) post-intervention. Qualitative data were collected through focus groups with participants who completed the 6-week study. Results Among the 59 participants included, 48 (81%) and 43 (73%) attended W2 and W6 visits, respectively. ABHR acceptability was high and adoption rates were 50% (W2) and 61% (W6). Only a minority of participants reported adverse skin reactions (ranging from 2 to 6%). Preliminary efficacy of the intervention was shown through increased hand hygiene frequency (multivariable linear mixed model: coef. W2 = 0.58, p = 0.002; coef. W6 = 0.61, p = 0.002) and fewer self-reported injecting-related infections (multivariable logistic mixed model: AOR W6 = 0.23, p = 0.021). Two focus groups were conducted with 10 participants and showed that young PWID and those living in unstable housing benefited most from the intervention. Conclusions ABHR for hand hygiene prior to injection are acceptable to and safe for PWID, particularly those living in unstable housing. The intervention’s educational component was crucial to ensure adoption of safe practices. We also provide preliminary evidence of the intervention’s efficacy through increased hand hygiene frequency and a reduced risk of infection. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-021-05895-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salim Mezaache
- Aix-Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, Marseille, France. .,ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de la Santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Marseille, France.
| | - Laélia Briand-Madrid
- Aix-Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, Marseille, France.,ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de la Santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Marseille, France
| | - Linda Rahni
- Aix-Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, Marseille, France.,ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de la Santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Marseille, France
| | | | | | - Khafil Moudachirou
- Aides, Béziers & Pantin, France.,Laboratoire de Recherche Communautaire, Coalition Plus, Pantin, France
| | | | - Patrizia Carrieri
- Aix-Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, Marseille, France.,ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de la Santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Marseille, France
| | - Perrine Roux
- Aix-Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, Marseille, France.,ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de la Santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Marseille, France
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12
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Harm Reduction for Injection Drug Users with Infective Endocarditis: A Systematic Review. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ADDICTION 2020. [DOI: 10.1097/cxa.0000000000000080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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13
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Bluthenthal RN, Simpson K, Ceasar RC, Zhao J, Wenger L, Kral AH. Opioid withdrawal symptoms, frequency, and pain characteristics as correlates of health risk among people who inject drugs. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 211:107932. [PMID: 32199668 PMCID: PMC7259345 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.107932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Opioid withdrawal symptoms are widely understood to contribute to health risk but have rarely been measured in community samples of opioid using people who inject drugs (PWID). METHODS Using targeted sampling methods, 814 PWID who reported regular opioid use (at least 12 uses in the last 30 days) were recruited and interviewed about demographics, drug use, health risk, and withdrawal symptoms, frequency, and pain. Multivariable regression models were developed to examine factors associated with any opioid withdrawal, withdrawal frequency, pain severity, and two important health risks (receptive syringe sharing and non-fatal overdose). RESULTS Opioid withdrawal symptoms were reported by 85 % of participants in the last 6 months, with 29 % reporting at least monthly withdrawal symptoms and 35 % reporting at least weekly withdrawal symptoms. Very or extremely painful symptoms were reported by 57 %. In separate models, we found any opioid withdrawal (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.75, 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 1.52, 5.00) and weekly or more opioid withdrawal frequency (AOR = 1.94; 95 % CI = 1.26, 3.00) (as compared to less than monthly) to be independently associated with receptive syringe sharing while controlling for confounders. Any opioid withdrawal (AOR = 1.71; 95 % CI = 1.04, 2.81) was independently associated with nonfatal overdose while controlling for confounders. In a separate model, weekly or more withdrawal frequency (AOR = 1.69; 95 % CI = 1.12, 2.55) and extreme or very painful withdrawal symptoms (AOR = 1.53; 95 % CI = 1.08, 2.16) were associated with nonfatal overdose as well. CONCLUSIONS Withdrawal symptoms among PWID increase health risk. Treatment of withdrawal symptoms is urgently needed and should include buprenorphine dispensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricky N Bluthenthal
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2001 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, 90032 CA, United States of America.
| | - Kelsey Simpson
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2001 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, 90032 CA, United States of America
| | - Rachel Carmen Ceasar
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2001 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, 90032 CA, United States of America
| | - Johnathan Zhao
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2001 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, 90032 CA, United States of America
| | - Lynn Wenger
- Behavioral Health Research Division, RTI International, 2150 Shattuck Avenue, Suite 800, Berkeley, 94704 CA, United States of America
| | - Alex H Kral
- Behavioral Health Research Division, RTI International, 2150 Shattuck Avenue, Suite 800, Berkeley, 94704 CA, United States of America
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Gibbs D, Peacock A, O'Keefe D, Butler K, Bruno R, Lenton S, Burns L, Larney S. Use of alcohol swabs to clean injecting sites among people who regularly inject drugs in Australia. Drug Alcohol Rev 2019; 39:83-92. [PMID: 31828864 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS Cleaning drug injection sites with alcohol swabs prior to injecting reduces risk of abscesses and other skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI). Better understanding of swabbing behaviours can inform interventions to improve injecting hygiene. We aimed to determine the socio-demographic, drug use and injecting risk exposure correlates of swabbing prior to injecting and reasons for not swabbing. DESIGN AND METHODS The Illicit Drug Reporting System recruited participants who had injected drugs at least monthly in the past six months in June-July 2017 from all Australian capital cities via needle and syringe programs and word-of-mouth. A structured interview was used to collect information on drug use and related behaviour, as well as swabbing practices. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with not swabbing at last injection. RESULTS Of 853 respondents, one-quarter (26%) reported that they did not swab prior to their last injection. In adjusted analyses, crystal methamphetamine as the last drug injected, past month receptive or distributive syringe sharing, and past month re-use of one's own needle were significantly associated with not swabbing at last injection. Among participants who did not swab at last injection, swabbing was frequently considered unnecessary and a small number disliked using alcohol swabs. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Efforts are needed to increase awareness of the importance of injecting hygiene in preventing SSTI. Interventions to increase swabbing should be included as part of a wider package of injecting hygiene education, particularly in light of associations with receptive and/or distributive syringe sharing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy Gibbs
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Amy Peacock
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Kerryn Butler
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Discipline of Addiction Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Simon Lenton
- National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Lucinda Burns
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sarah Larney
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Medical School, Brown University, Providence, USA
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15
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Kerley KR, DeShay RA, Copes H. Harm Reduction Strategies and Disinhibitors Among Women Who Use Heroin. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OFFENDER THERAPY AND COMPARATIVE CRIMINOLOGY 2019; 63:1289-1305. [PMID: 30539671 DOI: 10.1177/0306624x18818682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
People who use illicit drugs face significant physical risks in the acquisition, use, and aftermath of their use. This is particularly the case among those who use heroin in view of recent spikes in heroin-associated overdoses, injuries, and deaths. Using a restrictive deterrence framework, we identify the risks that women associate with chronic heroin use and the ways they seek to manage those risks. We also examine psychological and physiological disinhibitors that contribute to women reducing use of risk reduction strategies. We find from the narratives that nearly all of the women initially engaged in specific strategies to manage risk; however, as they continued using the drug, they began to abandon even the simplest of measures. Our findings shed light on the limitations of harm reduction strategies and inform the theoretical tradition of restrictive deterrence and the importance of disinhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Heith Copes
- 2 University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA
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16
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Davis SM, Kristjansson AL, Davidov D, Zullig K, Baus A, Fisher M. Barriers to using new needles encountered by rural Appalachian people who inject drugs: implications for needle exchange. Harm Reduct J 2019; 16:23. [PMID: 30940136 PMCID: PMC6444507 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-019-0295-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Using a new needle for every injection can reduce the spread of infectious disease among people who inject drugs (PWID). No previous study has examined new needle use barriers among PWIDs residing in the rural Appalachian part of the United States, an area currently in the midst of a heroin epidemic. Objective Therefore, our primary aim was to explore self-reported barriers to using a new needle by PWID attending a needle exchange program (NEP). Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey of PWID attending two NEPs in rural West Virginia located in the heart of Central Appalachia. A convenience sample of PWID (n = 100) completed the Barriers to Using New Needles Questionnaire. Results The median number of barriers reported was 5 (range 0–19). Fear of arrest by police (72% of PWID “agreed” or “strongly agreed”) and difficulty with purchasing needles from a pharmacy (64% “agreed” or “strongly agreed”) were the most frequently cited barriers. Conclusions/Importance Congruent with previous findings from urban locations, in rural West Virginia, the ability of PWID to use a new needle obtained from a needle exchange for every injection may be compromised by fear of arrest. In addition, pharmacy sales of new needles to PWID may be blunted by an absence of explicit laws mandating nonprescription sales. Future studies should explore interventions that align the public health goals of NEPs with the occupational safety of law enforcement and health outreach goals of pharmacists. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12954-019-0295-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen M Davis
- Department of Health Policy, Management, and Leadership, School of Public Health, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, PO Box 9190, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA. .,Department of Emergency Medicine, West Virginia University, PO Box 9149, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA.
| | - Alfgeir L Kristjansson
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, West Virginia University, PO Box 9190, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Danielle Davidov
- Department of Emergency Medicine, West Virginia University, PO Box 9149, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA.,Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, West Virginia University, PO Box 9190, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Keith Zullig
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, West Virginia University, PO Box 9190, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Adam Baus
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, West Virginia University, PO Box 9190, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Melanie Fisher
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, West Virginia University, PO Box 9163, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
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17
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Fatal and non-fatal overdose among opiate users in South Wales: A qualitative study of peer responses. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2018; 56:56-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2017] [Revised: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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18
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Davis SM, Daily S, Kristjansson AL, Kelley GA, Zullig K, Baus A, Davidov D, Fisher M. Needle exchange programs for the prevention of hepatitis C virus infection in people who inject drugs: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Harm Reduct J 2017; 14:25. [PMID: 28514954 PMCID: PMC5436422 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-017-0156-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous research on the effectiveness of needle exchange programs (NEP) in preventing hepatitis C virus (HCV) in people who inject drugs (PWID) has shown mixed findings. The purpose of this study was to use the meta-analytic approach to examine the association between NEP use and HCV prevention in PWIDs. Methods Study inclusion criteria were (1) observational studies, (2) PWIDs, (3) NEP use, (4) HCV status ascertained by serological testing, (5) studies published in any language since January 1, 1989, and (6) data available for measures of association. Studies were located by searching four electronic databases and cross-referencing. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa (NOS) scale. A ratio measure of association was calculated for each result from cohort or case–control studies and pooled using a random effects model. Odds ratio (OR) and hazard ratio (HR) models were analyzed separately. Results were considered statistically significant if the 95% confidence interval (CI) did not cross 1. Heterogeneity was estimated using Q and I2 with alpha values for Q ≤ 0.10 considered statistically significant. Results Of the 555 citations reviewed, 6 studies containing 2437 participants were included. Studies had an average NOS score of 7 out of 9 (77.8%) stars. Concerns over participant representativeness, unclear adjustments for confounders, and bias from participant nonresponse and loss to follow-up were noted. Results were mixed with the odds ratio model indicating no consistent association (OR, 0.51, 95% CI, 0.05–5.15), and the hazard ratio model indicating a harmful effect (HR, 2.05, 95% CI, 1.39–3.03). Substantial heterogeneity (p ≤ 0.10) and moderate to large inconsistency (I2 ≥ 66%) were observed for both models. Conclusions The impact of NEPs on HCV prevention in PWIDs remains unclear. There is a need for well-designed research studies employing standardized criteria and measurements to clarify this issue. Trial registration PROSPERO CRD42016035315 Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12954-017-0156-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen M Davis
- School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, PO Box 9149, Morgantown, WV, 26506-9149, USA.
| | - Shay Daily
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, West Virginia University, PO Box 9190, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Alfgeir L Kristjansson
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, West Virginia University, PO Box 9190, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - George A Kelley
- Department of Biostatistics, West Virginia University, PO Box 9190, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Keith Zullig
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, West Virginia University, PO Box 9190, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Adam Baus
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, West Virginia University, PO Box 9190, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Danielle Davidov
- School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, PO Box 9149, Morgantown, WV, 26506-9149, USA.,Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, West Virginia University, PO Box 9190, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Melanie Fisher
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, West Virginia University, PO Box 9163, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
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Adamson K, Jackson L, Gahagan J. Young people and injection drug use: Is there a need to expand harm reduction services and support? THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2017; 39:14-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2016] [Revised: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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