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Abstract Details
Program Adaptations to Provide Harm Reduction Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study of Syringe Services Programs in the U.S
AIDS Behav. 2021 Jun 10;1-12. doi: 10.1007/s10461-021-03332-7. Online ahead of print.
Madeline C Frost12, Elsa W Sweek1, Elizabeth J Austin1, Maria A Corcorran3, Alexa M Juarez3, Noah D Frank3, Stephanie M Prohaska4, Paul A LaKosky4, Alice K Asher5, Dita Broz6, Don C Des Jarlais7, Emily C Williams12, Sara N Glick8
Author information
1Department of Health Services, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA, USA.
2Health Services Research & Development Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA.
3Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
4Dave Purchase Project, North American Syringe Exchange Network, Tacoma, WA, USA.
5Office of Policy, Planning and Partnerships, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
6Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
7School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
8Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA. snglick@uw.edu.
Abstract
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.