Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Frost, Madeline C.
• Sweek, Elsa W.
• Austin, Elizabeth J.
• Corcorran, Maria A.
• Juarez, Alexa M.
• Frank, Noah D.
• Prohaska, Stephanie M.
• LaKosky, Paul A.
• Asher, Alice K.
• Broz, Dita
• Jarlais, Don C. Des
• Williams, Emily C.
• Glick, Sara N.

Titel

Program Adaptations to Provide Harm Reduction Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study of Syringe Services Programs in the U.S

Ist Teil von

• AIDS and behavior, 2022-01, Vol.26 (1), p.57-68

Ort / Verlag

New York: Springer US

Erscheinungsjahr

2022

Link zum Volltext

Quelle

MEDLINE

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Syringe services programs (SSPs) are essential to preventing injection drug use-related infections and overdose death among people who use drugs (PWUD). The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic initially impeded SSPs’ operations. To effectively support these programs, information is needed regarding SSPs’ experiences adapting their services and the challenges posed by COVID-19. We conducted qualitative interviews with leadership and staff from a sample of 31 U.S. SSPs. Respondents discussed urgent concerns including reduced reach of services, suspended HIV/hepatitis C testing, high COVID-19 risk among PWUD, and negative impacts of isolation on overdose and mental health. They also noted opportunities to improve future services for PWUD, including shifting to evidence-based distribution practices and maintaining regulatory changes that increased access to opioid use disorder medications post-pandemic. Findings can inform efforts to support SSPs in restoring and expanding services, and provide insight into SSPs’ role in engaging PWUD during the COVID-19 response and future emergencies.