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Pasman E, Brown S, Agius E, Resko SM. Support for Safe Consumption Sites Among Peer Recovery Coaches. J Behav Health Serv Res 2024; 51:219-231. [PMID: 37430133 DOI: 10.1007/s11414-023-09846-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Safe consumption sites (SCSs), legally sanctioned facilities where people can use drugs under medical supervision, are an effective strategy to reduce overdose fatalities. Peer recovery coaches (PRCs), substance use service providers with lived experience in recovery, are a key provider group affecting SCS implementation. This study assesses support for SCSs among PRCs and identifies personal and professional characteristics associated with support for these sites. PRCs (N = 260) in Michigan were recruited to complete a web-based survey (July-September 2021), reporting their demographics, lived experience, abstinence orientation, attitudes toward clients, training experiences, and support for legalizing SCSs. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with support for SCSs. Half of PRCs (49.0%) expressed support for legalizing SCSs in Michigan. Compared to women, men had greater odds of supporting SCSs (OR = 2.113, p = .014). PRCs who identified as Black (OR = 0.361, p = .014) and other people of color (OR = 0.338, p = .014) had lower odds of supporting SCSs compared to PRCs who identified as white. More stigmatizing attitudes toward clients (OR = 0.921, p = .022) and preference for abstinence-only treatment (OR = 0.452, p = .013) were associated with lower odds of supporting SCSs. Increasing support for SCSs among PRCs is important given their influence on the success of SCS initiatives. Professional training which addresses deeply rooted values and beliefs may help increase support for SCSs. However, policy changes may be necessary to address structural racism affecting SCS acceptability among PRCs of color.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Pasman
- School of Social Work, Wayne State University, 5447 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA.
- School of Nursing, University of Michigan, 426 N Ingalls St, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Suzanne Brown
- School of Social Work, Wayne State University, 5447 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Elizabeth Agius
- School of Social Work, Wayne State University, 5447 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Stella M Resko
- School of Social Work, Wayne State University, 5447 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
- Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute, Wayne State University, 71 E Ferry St, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
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Rijnink A, Blake D, Groot S, Brough C. Accessing needle exchange services in disasters for remote areas of Aotearoa New Zealand. Harm Reduct J 2022; 19:145. [PMID: 36544156 PMCID: PMC9771773 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-022-00709-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Needle Exchange Programme (NEP) mobile outreach services in Aotearoa New Zealand distribute injecting equipment to people who inject drugs (PWID) living in remote regions. In disasters, continued access to such services is imperative for the health and wellbeing of PWID. Disasters can compound existing inequities, particularly in regions characterised by poor or limited infrastructure, smaller populations, and challenging socioeconomic conditions. To gain insight into the barriers that prevent access to NEP harm-reduction services and understand the needs of PWID prior to and during disasters, this study foregrounds the voices of PWID based on the West Coast of the South Island, Aotearoa New Zealand. METHODS This qualitative study applied an interpretive phenomenological analysis approach, where 14 PWID and one key NEP staff member took part in semi-structured interviews. The interviews provided the opportunity for participants to share their experiences and perspectives about accessing sterile drug-injecting equipment during disasters, including the four-week COVID-19 Level 4 lockdown in March 2020. In total five superordinate and 14 subordinate themes were identified from the interveiws. RESULTS This study focuses on four of the key themes that impacted accessibility to NEP services: infrastructural hazards and equipment costs; social capital and practical support from peers and key contact networks; social stigma in public locations, including NEP-based pharmacies and emergency centres; and potential solutions to NEP equipment accessibility as frequently suggested by participants. CONCLUSIONS Access to NEP services is essential during natural hazard and human-generated disasters, as such NEP mobile outreach services and disaster resilience efforts should focus on maintaining service continuity for PWID during adverse times. This study champions a needs-based, stigma free approach to inclusive harm-reduction and emergency management practices for groups with specific needs in a disaster context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Rijnink
- grid.148374.d0000 0001 0696 9806School of Psychology, Massey University, Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Denise Blake
- grid.267827.e0000 0001 2292 3111School of Health, Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Shiloh Groot
- grid.9654.e0000 0004 0372 3343School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand
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Aponte-Melendez Y, Mateu-Gelabert P, Fong C, Eckhardt B, Kapadia S, Marks K. The impact of COVID-19 on people who inject drugs in New York City: increased risk and decreased access to services. Harm Reduct J 2021; 18:118. [PMID: 34819070 PMCID: PMC8611635 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-021-00568-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background While people who inject drugs (PWID) are vulnerable to the adverse outcomes of events like COVID-19, little is known regarding the impact of the current pandemic on PWID. We examine how COVID-19 has affected PWID in New York City across four domains: substance use, risk behaviors, mental health, and service utilization. Methods As part of a randomized trial to improve access to HCV treatment for PWID, we recruited 165 participants. Eligibility criteria included detectable HCV RNA and recent drug injection. The present cross-sectional analysis is based on a subsample of 106 participants. We compared responses between two separate samples: 60 participants interviewed prior to the pandemic (pre-COVID-19 sample) and 46 participants interviewed during the pandemic (COVID-19 sample). We also assessed differences by study group [accessible care (AC) and usual care (UC)]. Results Compared to the pre-COVID-19 sample, those interviewed during COVID-19 reported higher levels of mental health issues, syringe reuse, and alcohol consumption and greater reductions in syringe-service programs and buprenorphine utilization. In the analysis conducted by study group, the UC group reported significantly higher injection risk behaviors and lower access to buprenorphine treatment during COVID-19, while during the same period, the AC group reported lower levels of substance use and injection risk behaviors. Conclusion The current study provides insight on how COVID-19 has negatively affected PWID. Placing dispensing machines of harm-reduction supplies in communities where PWID live and increasing secondary exchange, mobile services, and mail delivery of supplies may help maintain access to lifesaving supplies during big events, such as COVID-19. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03214679. Registered July 11 2017. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03214679.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesenia Aponte-Melendez
- CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), 55 West 125th Street, New York, NY, 10027, USA. .,NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, 380 Second Avenue, New York, NY, 10010, USA.
| | - Pedro Mateu-Gelabert
- CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), 55 West 125th Street, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Chunki Fong
- CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), 55 West 125th Street, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | | | - Shashi Kapadia
- Weill Cornell Medicine, 1305 York Ave 4th Floor, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Kristen Marks
- Weill Cornell Medicine, 1305 York Ave 4th Floor, New York, NY, 10021, USA
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Surratt HL, Otachi J, McLouth C, Vundi N. Healthcare stigma and HIV risk among rural people who inject drugs. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 226:108878. [PMID: 34214880 PMCID: PMC8355211 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The HIV epidemic is increasingly penetrating rural areas of the U.S. due to evolving epidemics of injection drug use. Many rural areas experience deficits in availability of HIV prevention, testing and harm reduction services, and confront significant stigma that inhibits care seeking. This paper examines enacted stigma in healthcare settings among rural people who inject drugs (PWID) and explores associations of stigma with continuing high-risk behaviors for HIV. METHODS PWID participants (n = 324) were recruited into the study in three county health department syringe service programs (SSPs), as well as in local community-based organizations. Trained interviewers completed a standardized baseline interview lasting approximately 40 min. Bivariate logistic regression models examined the associations between enacted healthcare stigma, health conditions, and injection risk behaviors, and a mediation analysis was conducted. RESULTS Stigmatizing health conditions were common in this sample of PWID, and 201 (62.0 %) reported experiencing stigma from healthcare providers. Injection risk behaviors were uniformly associated with higher odds of enacted healthcare stigma, including sharing injection equipment at most recent injection (OR = 2.76; CI 1.55, 4.91), and lifetime receptive needle sharing (OR = 2.27; CI 1.42, 3.63). Enacted healthcare stigma partially mediated the relationship between having a stigmatizing health condition and engagement in high-risk injection behaviors. DISCUSSION Rural PWID are vulnerable to stigma in healthcare settings, which contributes to high-risk injection behaviors for HIV. These findings have critical public health implications, including the importance of tailored interventions to decrease enacted stigma in care settings, and structural changes to expand the provision of healthcare services within SSP settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chris McLouth
- University of Kentucky, Department of Behavioral Science
| | - Nikita Vundi
- University of Kentucky, Center for Health Services Research
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Brener L, Broady T, Cama E, Hopwood M, Byrne J, Treloar C. Positive effects of community attachment on internalised stigma and wellbeing among people who inject drugs. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 97:103323. [PMID: 34146790 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103323] [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: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Internalised stigma experienced by people who inject drugs (PWID) is known to have negative health consequences. Research has explored factors that may protect or buffer individuals from the negative consequences of internalised stigma. Community attachment, or perceived connection to a community of like people, can have numerous health-related benefits. However, this relationship may be complex for PWID; being part of a social network of PWID may provide opportunity for more frequent drug use and equipment sharing. This study investigated the relationships between community attachment, internalised stigma, and wellbeing among PWID, while also addressing potential health risks associated with PWID community attachment. METHODS PWID (n=603) were recruited through nine peer-based drug user organisations across Australia with assistance from the peak consumer organisation. Participants completed a survey measuring community attachment, internalised stigma, personal wellbeing, injecting frequency, and equipment sharing. RESULTS Greater attachment to a PWID community was associated with lower internalised stigma, but also with sharing of injecting equipment and increased frequency of injecting behaviour. The relationship between community attachment and personal wellbeing was mediated by internalised stigma, however this was only the case for PWID who reported no sharing of injecting equipment. CONCLUSIONS This research highlights the significance of community attachment for PWID while also noting the complexity of this relationship and the potential negative consequences. It is important to view networks of PWID communities as sources of positive social capital, where norms about health behaviours and harm reduction can be promoted and which can buffer community members from the harms associated with stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loren Brener
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Timothy Broady
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Elena Cama
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Max Hopwood
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jude Byrne
- Australian Injecting & Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL), Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
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Mamdani Z, McKenzie S, Pauly B, Cameron F, Conway-Brown J, Edwards D, Howell A, Scott T, Seguin R, Woodrow P, Buxton JA. "Running myself ragged": stressors faced by peer workers in overdose response settings. Harm Reduct J 2021; 18:18. [PMID: 33573661 PMCID: PMC7877312 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-020-00449-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Peer workers or “peers” (workers with past or present drug use experience) are at the forefront of overdose response initiatives, and their role is essential in creating safe spaces for people who use drugs (PWUD). Working in overdose response settings has benefits for peer workers but is also stressful, with lasting emotional and mental health effects. Yet, little is known about the stressors peer workers face and what interventions can be implemented to support them in their roles. Methods This project used a community-based sequential mixed-methods research design. Eight peer researcher-led focus groups (n = 31) were conducted between November 2018 and March 2019 to assess needs of peer workers. The transcripts were thematically coded and analysed using interpretative description. These results informed a survey, which was conducted (n = 50) in September 2019 to acquire quantitative data on peer workers’ perception of health, quality of life, working conditions and stressors. Frequency distributions were used to describe characteristics of participants. X2 distribution values with Yates correction were conducted to check for association between variables. Results Five themes emerged from the focus groups that point to stressors felt by peer workers: (1) financial insecurity; (2) lack of respect and recognition at work; (3) housing challenges; (4) inability to access and/or refer individuals to resources; and (5) constant exposure to death and trauma. Consistent with this, the factors that survey participants picked as one of their “top three stressors” included financial situation, work situation, and housing challenges. Conclusion Peer workers are faced with a diversity of stressors in their lives which often reflect societal stigmatization of drug use. Recognition of these systemic stressors is critical in designing interventions to ease the emotional, physical and financial burden faced by peer workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Mamdani
- BC Centre for Disease Control, 655 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4R4, Canada
| | - Sophie McKenzie
- BC Centre for Disease Control, 655 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4R4, Canada
| | - Bernadette Pauly
- Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, STN CSC, University of Victoria, Box 1700, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Fred Cameron
- SOLID Outreach Society, 1056 N Park St, Victoria, BC, V8T 1C6, Canada
| | | | - Denice Edwards
- RainCity Housing, 616 Powell St, Vancouver, BC, V6A 1H4, Canada
| | - Amy Howell
- SOLID Outreach Society, 1056 N Park St, Victoria, BC, V8T 1C6, Canada
| | - Tracy Scott
- RainCity Housing, 616 Powell St, Vancouver, BC, V6A 1H4, Canada
| | - Ryan Seguin
- SOLID Outreach Society, 1056 N Park St, Victoria, BC, V8T 1C6, Canada
| | - Peter Woodrow
- RainCity Housing, 616 Powell St, Vancouver, BC, V6A 1H4, Canada
| | - Jane A Buxton
- BC Centre for Disease Control, 655 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4R4, Canada. .,School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2329 West Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
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Deans E, Ravulo J, Blignault I, Conroy E. Understanding the needs of local youth to inform drug and alcohol prevention and harm reduction services: A qualitative study. Health Promot J Austr 2020; 32:416-424. [PMID: 32745345 DOI: 10.1002/hpja.393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
ISSUE ADDRESSED Reducing drug and alcohol harm is a public health priority and the Australian government has adopted a harm minimisation approach to policy. Understanding the needs of local youth is necessary for the design of relevant prevention and harm reduction services. METHODS Using 5 unstructured focus groups and 10 interviews involving 30 participants recruited from different settings, this study explored youth perspectives around alcohol and other drugs and the psychosocial factors that influence their substance use. RESULTS Three main themes were identified. First, young people perceived that drugs fell into a hierarchy related to the harm they cause and the stigma associated with use. Second, the importance of validating a young person's experience with using drugs (regardless of where they were placed on their substance-use trajectory) as a measure to increase the credibility of drug education programs. Third, the significant influence of peers on young people's drug attitudes and behaviours. CONCLUSIONS Drug and alcohol education strategies must be more explicit regarding harm across all drug types, regardless of legal status or perceived social acceptability. Prevention services would benefit from including lived realities from young people's varied and changing experiences with using substances. Peer involvement in the design of preventive strategies (and involvement in participatory research to identify felt needs) is paramount to ensure teachings are grounded in a young person's social context and lived realities. SO WHAT?: This study provides information to guide the development of appropriate and authentic drug and alcohol prevention and harm reduction services for young people.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jioji Ravulo
- School of Health & Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Ilse Blignault
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Conroy
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Australia
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Ashford RD, Brown AM, Dorney G, McConnell N, Kunzelman J, McDaniel J, Curtis B. Reducing harm and promoting recovery through community-based mutual aid: Characterizing those who engage in a hybrid peer recovery community organization. Addict Behav 2019; 98:106037. [PMID: 31330467 PMCID: PMC6708724 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.106037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Peer-based support services are often used within harm reduction organizations, and more recently within recovery community organizations (RCO). Identifying the characteristics of individuals who engage with these novel RCOs is needed. Additionally, conducting collaborative research with communities of people who use drugs (PWUD) or are in recovery is an effective and rewarding approach that allows individuals to take ownership and play a critical role in the study. METHODS This exploratory study employs a community-based participatory research (CBPR) framework in partnership with a peer-led hybrid recovery community organization, Rebel Recovery, in Florida. Peer staff participated in all phases of the study, helping to inform the study protocol, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and results write-up. A cross-sectional survey instrument was used to collect consumer intake data. Pearson Chi-square tests and multivariate binomial logistic regressions were used to examine relationships between consumer characteristics and service utilization. RESULTS Consumers (n = 396) of Rebel Recovery peer support services had a mean age of 35.60 years (SD = 9.74). Many were experiencing homelessness (35.4%), unemployed (69.7%), high school graduates or GED holders (68.2%) and had a last year income of less than $10,000 (58.3%). The majority were users of heroin primarily (70.7%), with intravenous use being the preferred route of administration (63.9%). Exploratory analysis found that gender, marital status, and involvement in the child welfare system were significantly related to primary substance of use. Past 30-day engagement in recovery meetings had several statistically significant predictors including primary substance of use, age, housing status, annual income level, past-30-day arrests, tobacco use, and alcohol harm perception. Process findings from the CBPR methods used reconfirm the value of including peers in research involving PWUD and individuals in recovery. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that peer-based support services at a hybrid recovery community organization can successfully engage populations that are often underserved (i.e., experiencing homelessness, involved in drug court, intravenous users, etc.). Significant relationships identified in the exploratory analysis suggest that additional education concerning overdose and the potential benefits of recovery meetings may be useful for specific consumers. Additionally, several recommendations and benefits of engaging in community-based participatory research with peer-led organizations are made for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert D Ashford
- Substance Use Disorders Institute, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America.
| | - Austin M Brown
- Center for Young Adult Addiction and Recovery, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, United States of America.
| | | | | | | | - Jessica McDaniel
- Center for Young Adult Addiction and Recovery, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, United States of America.
| | - Brenda Curtis
- National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD, United States of America.
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Brown G, Perry GE, Byrne J, Crawford S, Henderson C, Madden A, Lobo R, Reeders D. Characterising the policy influence of peer-based drug user organisations in the context of hepatitis C elimination. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2019; 72:24-32. [PMID: 31176595 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Achieving hepatitis C (HCV) elimination goals will require major policy and health service reorientation to scale up testing and treatment among people who inject drugs (PWID). To achieve this, a close partnership with peer-based drug user organisations is required. However, peer organisations have historical and ongoing difficulties in articulating the validity of their service delivery and policy advice, leading to some policy and health services resisting partnership and advice from peer-based drug user organisations. METHODS To develop a deeper understanding of the role of peer-based drug user organisations in the HCV response, we analysed data from the W3 Project which used systems thinking methods to draw together the insights of over 90 peer staff from 10 Australian community and peer organisations in HCV and HIV. The resulting system maps were analysed to identify system dynamics and functions that need to be fulfilled for peer organisations to be influential within their community and policy system. RESULTS We identified the interactions at a system level which can enhance or constrain the quality and influence of policy advice from peer-based drug user organisations. We found the strength of Peer-based drug user organisations to support the scale up of HCV testing and treatment was their capacity to mediate between, and navigate within, the complex community and policy/health service systems. While peer-based drug user organisations endeavour to demonstrate their capacity and credibility in terms of engagement, alignment, adaptation and influence, policy and service organisations also need recognise their own system role to value and enable peer-based drug user organisations to achieve their potential. CONCLUSION If the HCV prevention and treatment system is to reach PWID living with HCV and achieve HCV elimination goals, then policy and health services need to invest in strengthening peer-based drug user organisations as well as recognise, value and act on quality policy advice from PWID peer leadership.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham Brown
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Bundoora, 3086, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; STI and BBV Applied Research and Evaluation Network, School of Public Health, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth WA 6845, Australia.
| | - Gari-Emma Perry
- Peer-based Harm Reduction WA, PO Box 8003, Perth WA 6849, Australia.
| | - Jude Byrne
- Australian Injecting & Illicit Drug Users League, GPO Box 1555, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia.
| | - Sione Crawford
- Harm Reduction Victoria, PO Box 12720 A'Beckett Street, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Charles Henderson
- New South Wales Users and AIDS Association, PO Box 350, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012, Australia.
| | - Annie Madden
- Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Roanna Lobo
- Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Daniel Reeders
- School of Regulation and Global Governance, Australian National University, Canberra ACT 2600, Australia.
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Falade-Nwulia O, Irvin R, Merkow A, Sulkowski M, Niculescu A, Olsen Y, Stoller K, Thomas DL, Latkin C, Mehta SH. Barriers and facilitators of hepatitis C treatment uptake among people who inject drugs enrolled in opioid treatment programs in Baltimore. J Subst Abuse Treat 2019; 100:45-51. [PMID: 30898327 PMCID: PMC6545901 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2019.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health issue among people who inject drugs (PWID) with prevalence of 50-80% in the United States. Effective, simple, oral direct acting agents (DAA) of short duration with minimal side effects have been associated with cure rates > 95%. However, HCV treatment uptake among PWID remains low. We characterized the HCV care continuum, HCV treatment knowledge, as well as barriers and facilitators to HCV treatment uptake among PWID enrolled in two opioid treatment programs (OTPs) in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. METHODS Between July and November 2016, 124 HCV infected PWID were recruited from two opioid treatment programs in Baltimore through convenience sampling. Participants completed a 50-item questionnaire to assess HCV treatment knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Progress through the HCV care continuum was assessed based on a series of questions assessing evaluation for HCV treatment, recommendation for HCV treatment by a provider, and HCV treatment initiation. HCV status was assessed based on participant self-report. RESULTS The median age was 52 years (IQR 44-58), 56% were male, the majority were African American (69%), and 19% reported HIV coinfection. Participants had been tested for HCV at their primary care provider's (PCP's) office (34%), drug treatment center (20%), emergency room (11%), or prison (9%), and most (60%) had been diagnosed with HCV over 5 years prior. The majority reported that HCV was a major health concern for them (91%), were aware there were new treatments for HCV (89%), and that the new treatments cure most people (69%). More than half (60%) had seen a health professional who could treat HCV, 40% had HCV therapy recommended by their HCV specialist, and 20% had started or completed treatment. In univariable analysis, PWID were significantly more likely to have been treated if they were HIV co-infected (OR 3.4 (95% CI 1.3-9.2)) or had a partner or friend concerned about their HCV (OR 3.4 (95% CI 1.2-9.7)), and were significantly less likely to have been treated if they had used any illicit drugs in the preceding 6 months (OR 0.4 (95% CI 0.2-0.99). In multivariable analysis, having a friend or partner concerned about their HCV remained significantly associated with HCV treatment (OR 5.0 (95% CI 1.4-17.7)). When questioned about what would facilitate HCV treatment, the majority (85%) reported that a friend telling them that HCV treatment had helped them and having HCV treatment provided at their opioid treatment program would make them more likely to engage in HCV treatment. CONCLUSION Despite a high prevalence of HCV among opioid treatment program patients and the availability of effective treatments, uptake remains low. We identified several key barriers and facilitators that can affect HCV treatment uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Risha Irvin
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Alana Merkow
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Mark Sulkowski
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Alexander Niculescu
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Yngvild Olsen
- Institute for Behavior Resources, Inc, REACH Health Services, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Kenneth Stoller
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - David L Thomas
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Carl Latkin
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Shruti H Mehta
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
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Ashford RD, Curtis B, Brown AM. Peer-delivered harm reduction and recovery support services: initial evaluation from a hybrid recovery community drop-in center and syringe exchange program. Harm Reduct J 2018; 15:52. [PMID: 30348170 PMCID: PMC6198436 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-018-0258-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) is often considered at odds with harm reduction strategies. More recently, harm reduction has been categorized as both a pathway to recovery and a series of services to reduce the harmful consequences of substance use. Peer recovery support services (PRSS) are effective in improving SUD outcomes, as well as improving the engagement and effectiveness of harm reduction programs. Methods This study provides an initial evaluation of a hybrid recovery community organization providing PRSS as well as peer-based harm reduction services via a syringe exchange program. Administrative data collected during normal operations of the Missouri Network for Opiate Reform and Recovery were analyzed using Pearson chi-square tests and Monte Carlo chi-square tests. Results Intravenous substance-using participants (N = 417) had an average of 2.14 engagements (SD = 2.59) with the program. Over the evaluation period, a range of 5345–8995 sterile syringes were provided, with a range of 600–1530 used syringes collected. Participant housing status, criminal justice status, and previous health diagnosis were all significantly related to whether they had multiple engagements. Conclusions Results suggest that recovery community organizations are well situated and staffed to also provide harm reduction services, such as syringe exchange programs. Given the relationship between engagement and participant housing, criminal justice status, and previous health diagnosis, recommendations for service delivery include additional education and outreach for homeless, justice-involved, LatinX, and LGBTQ+ identifying individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert D Ashford
- Substance Use Disorders Institute, University of the Sciences, 2111, Philadelphia, PA, 19131, USA.
| | - Brenda Curtis
- Center on the Continuum of Care in the Addictions, Psychiatry - Addictions, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19131, USA
| | - Austin M Brown
- Center for Young Adult Addiction and Recovery, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, 30144, USA
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‘Beyond the willing & the waiting’ — The role of peer-based approaches in hepatitis C diagnosis & treatment. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2017; 50:111-115. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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