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Roxburgh A, Livingston M, Dietze P, Nielsen S, Cogger S, Bartlett M, Day C, Latimer J, Jauncey M, Clark N. The impact of COVID-19 public health measures on attendance and overdose at supervised injecting facilities in Australia. Public Health 2023; 224:90-97. [PMID: 37742585 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2023.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted service provision of harm reduction and drug treatment services for people who inject drugs in many countries. The two supervised injecting facilities (SIFs) in Sydney and Melbourne were differentially impacted by the pandemic, requiring local procedural changes in each service. We aimed to examine the impact of pandemic responses (including restrictions on movement, known as 'lockdowns') on service use and key parameters such as client reports of drug injected and recorded overdose rates. STUDY DESIGN Time series analysis of weekly client visits and monthly overdoses occurring at each service. METHODS Administrative client data from the two SIFs (Sydney data from 1 January 2018 to 30 April 2022; Melbourne data from 1 July 2018 to 30 April 2022) were examined using interrupted time series analyses with lockdown dates in each state entered as interruption terms. We analysed weekly SIF visits overall and by drug type, and monthly rates of opioid overdose at each service. RESULTS Lockdowns resulted in decreased visits to both services. The number of weekly client visits decreased during the first national lockdown for both the Sydney (trend change = -57.9; 95% CI [-109.4, -6.4]) and Melbourne SIF (near sig trend change = -54.8 [-110.8, 1.05]). Trends in visit numbers increased after lockdowns were lifted in each city; however, visits in Sydney have not returned to the numbers recorded prior to the pandemic. Visits to the Melbourne SIF related to heroin use declined at each lockdown (trend 1 = -42.7 [-81.5, -3.9]; trend 2 = -56.1 [-94.6, -17.7]; trend 3 = -33.8 [-67.4, -0.2]); heroin visits to the Sydney SIF declined during the first lockdown and remained low (trend = -55.6 [-82.8, -28.3]). Methamphetamine visits to the Sydney SIF fluctuated, surpassing heroin visits at several timepoints. Rates of monthly opioid overdoses at both services declined immediately following the start of the first lockdown (Sydney = -16.6 [-26.1, -6.8]; Melbourne = -6.4 [-8.7, -4.1]), with increasing trends recorded at the end of the final lockdown in each jurisdiction (Sydney = 2.8 [0.6, 5.0]; Melbourne = 1.3 [0.72, 3.2]). CONCLUSIONS Public health restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with reduced client visits to, and overdoses in, Australian SIFs. Variations were noted in the drugs injected, likely reflecting changes in local drug markets. Shifts to other drugs during these periods were evident: methamphetamine in Sydney; co-injection of heroin and diphenhydramine in Melbourne.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Roxburgh
- Harm and Risk Reduction Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Specialty of Addiction Medicine, Central Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, The Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, Australia; Monash Addiction Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - M Livingston
- National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - P Dietze
- Harm and Risk Reduction Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, Australia; Monash Addiction Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - S Nielsen
- Harm and Risk Reduction Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, Australia; Monash Addiction Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - S Cogger
- North Richmond Community Health Medically Supervised Injecting Room, Melbourne Australia
| | - M Bartlett
- Uniting Medically Supervised Injecting Centre, Sydney, Australia
| | - C Day
- Specialty of Addiction Medicine, Central Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, The Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Uniting Medically Supervised Injecting Centre, Sydney, Australia
| | - J Latimer
- Uniting Medically Supervised Injecting Centre, Sydney, Australia
| | - M Jauncey
- Specialty of Addiction Medicine, Central Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, The Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, Australia; Uniting Medically Supervised Injecting Centre, Sydney, Australia
| | - N Clark
- North Richmond Community Health Medically Supervised Injecting Room, Melbourne Australia; Addiction Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
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Marshall AD, Micallef M, Erratt A, Telenta J, Treloar C, Everingham H, Jones SC, Bath N, How-Chow D, Byrne J, Harvey P, Dunlop A, Jauncey M, Read P, Collie T, Dore GJ, Grebely J. Liver disease knowledge and acceptability of non-invasive liver fibrosis assessment among people who inject drugs in the drug and alcohol setting: The LiveRLife Study. Int J Drug Policy 2015; 26:984-91. [PMID: 26256938 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2015] [Revised: 06/19/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with baseline knowledge of HCV and liver disease, acceptability of transient elastography (TE) assessment (FibroScan(®)), and willingness and intent to receive HCV treatment among persons with a history of injection drug use participating in a liver health promotion campaign. METHODS The LiveRLife campaign involved three phases: (1) campaign resource development; (2) campaign resource testing; and (3) campaign implementation. Participants were enrolled in an observational cohort study with recruitment at four clinics - one primary health care facility, two OST clinics, and one medically supervised injecting centre - in Australia between May and October 2014. Participants received educational material, nurse clinical assessment, TE assessment, dried blood spot testing, and completed a knowledge survey. RESULTS Of 253 participants (mean age 43 years), 68% were male, 71% had injected in the past month, and 75% self-reported as HCV positive. Median knowledge score was 16/23. In adjusted analysis, less than daily injection (AOR 5.01; 95% CI, 2.64-9.51) and no daily injection in the past month (AOR 3.54; 95% CI, 1.80-6.94) were associated with high knowledge (≥16). TE was the most preferred method both pre- (66%) and post-TE (89%) compared to liver biopsy and blood sample. Eighty-eight percent were 'definitely willing' or 'somewhat willing' to receive HCV treatment, and 56% intended to start treatment in the next 12 months. Approximately 68% had no/mild fibrosis (F0/F1, ≥2.5 to ≤7.4kPa), 13% moderate fibrosis (F2, ≥7.5 to ≤9.4kPa), 10% severe fibrosis (F3, ≥9.5 to ≤12.4kPa), and 9% had cirrhosis (F4, ≥12.5kPa). CONCLUSION Liver disease and HCV knowledge was moderate. High acceptability of TE by PWID provides strong evidence for the inclusion of TE in HCV-related care, and could help to prioritise HCV treatment for those at greatest risk of liver disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- A D Marshall
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, NSW, Australia.
| | - M Micallef
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, NSW, Australia
| | - A Erratt
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, NSW, Australia
| | - J Telenta
- Centre for Health and Social Research, Australian Catholic University, VIC, Australia
| | - C Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Australia, NSW, Australia
| | - H Everingham
- NSW Users and AIDS Association, Inc., NSW, Australia
| | - S C Jones
- Centre for Health and Social Research, Australian Catholic University, VIC, Australia
| | - N Bath
- NSW Users and AIDS Association, Inc., NSW, Australia
| | - D How-Chow
- St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - J Byrne
- Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League, ACT, Australia
| | | | - A Dunlop
- University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; Drug and Alcohol Clinical Services, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - M Jauncey
- Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League, ACT, Australia
| | - P Read
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, NSW, Australia; Kirketon Road Centre, NSW, Australia
| | - T Collie
- Coffs Harbour Drug and Alcohol Service, NSW, Australia
| | - G J Dore
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, NSW, Australia
| | - J Grebely
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, NSW, Australia
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Dwyer R, Topp L, Maher L, Power R, Hellard M, Walsh N, Jauncey M, Conroy A, Lewis J, Aitken C. Prevalences and correlates of non-viral injecting-related injuries and diseases in a convenience sample of Australian injecting drug users. Drug Alcohol Depend 2009; 100:9-16. [PMID: 19013725 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2008.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2008] [Revised: 08/25/2008] [Accepted: 08/25/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalences and correlates of non-viral injecting-related injuries and diseases (IRIDs) in Australian injecting drug users (IDUs) remain unknown. METHODS A cross-sectional survey of IDUs was conducted in six sites across Australia's eastern states to investigate IRID experience among Australian IDU. Correlates of IRIDs were explored using logistic and negative binomial regression analyses. RESULTS 393 IDUs were recruited. Lifetime experience of non-serious IRIDs was common (e.g., 'dirty hit' 68%); potentially serious and serious IRIDs were less commonly experienced (e.g., abscess 16%; gangrene <1%). Factors independently associated with potentially serious or serious IRIDs in the previous 12 months were: injecting in sites other than arms (Adjusted Odds Ratio 3.0, 95% confidence interval 1.7-5.4), injecting non-powder drug forms (5.0, 2.2-11.2), unstable accommodation (2.0, 1.1-3.5), being aged 25 years or older (4.3, 1.7-10.6) and not always washing hands before injection (9.3, 2.1-41.8). Factors independently associated with multiple IRIDs in the preceding 12 months were using three or more injecting sites (Adjusted Incidence Rate Ratio 1.5, 95% CI 1.1-2.0), injecting in sites other than arms (1.7, 1.3-2.2), using non-powder drug forms (1.9, 1.4-2.5), injecting daily or more often (1.7, 1.3-2.2), current pharmacotherapy experience (1.5, 1.1-1.9), and not always washing hands before injecting (1.9, 1.2-2.9). DISCUSSION Some IRIDs are widespread among Australian IDUs. Observed associations, particularly the protective effect of handwashing, have useful public health implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Dwyer
- Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health Research, Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne 3001, Australia
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Micallef JM, Macdonald V, Jauncey M, Amin J, Rawlinson W, van Beek I, Kaldor JM, White PA, Dore GJ. High incidence of hepatitis C virus reinfection within a cohort of injecting drug users. J Viral Hepat 2007; 14:413-8. [PMID: 17501762 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2006.00812.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
A retrospective cohort study was established of injecting drug users (IDUs) to assess evidence for hepatitis C virus (HCV) protective immunity through a comparison of incidence of initial HCV infection and HCV reinfection. Incidence of initial HCV infection was determined among HCV seronegative IDUs, and HCV reinfection determined among IDUs with newly acquired HCV infection, HCV viraemia and subsequent HCV RNA clearance. Serum was available for HCV RNA analysis from stored samples taken at the time of prior blood-borne virus screening. Potential HCV reinfection was defined as a positive HCV RNA following at least one negative HCV RNA. Incidence of initial HCV infection was 17/100 person-years (95% CI, 14-20/100 person-years). The incidence of potential HCV reinfection was 42/100 person-years (95% CI, 25-61/100 person-years), and after excluding cases without a change in HCV genotype and less than three consecutive HCV RNA negative assessment, incidence of reinfection was 31/100 person-years (95% CI, 17-62/100 person-years). Following adjustment for HCV risk behaviour variables the incidence rate ratio of HCV reinfection to initial infection was 1.11 (P = 0.8). Several cases of HCV reinfection appear to have developed persistent infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Micallef
- National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Amin J, Law MG, Micallef J, Jauncey M, Van Beek I, Kaldor JM, Dore GJ. Potential biases in estimates of hepatitis C RNA clearance in newly acquired hepatitis C infection among a cohort of injecting drug users. Epidemiol Infect 2006; 135:144-50. [PMID: 16707030 PMCID: PMC2870537 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268806006388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/08/2006] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Estimates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance following acute infection range from 14 to 46%. This wide range is likely to be due to the characteristics of the populations studied and analysis methods. This paper examines how differing definitions of clearance parameters affect estimates of viral clearance in a cohort of 85 injecting drug users with newly acquired HCV infection. Kaplan-Meier estimates of time to HCV clearance were determined using varying definitions of eligible cohort, viral clearance, date of infection and date of clearance. Based on which combinations of definitions were used, the number of subjects eligible for analysis ranged from 27 to 75, clearance rate ranged from 14 to 68% and time to achieving 25% clearance ranged from approximately 5 months to 14 months. Standardized definitions and methodologies are required to enable valid comparisons of rates of clearance across newly acquired HCV infection natural history studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Amin
- National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
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