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Exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on syringe services programs in rural Kentucky.
Glick, Jennifer L; Grieb, Suzanne M; Harris, Samantha J; Weir, Brian W; Smith, Katherine C; Puryear, Tyler; Hamilton White, Rebecca; Allen, Sean T.
  • Glick JL; Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. jglick5@jhu.edu.
  • Grieb SM; Center for Child and Community Health Research, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
  • Harris SJ; Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
  • Weir BW; Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
  • Smith KC; Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
  • Puryear T; Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
  • Hamilton White R; Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
  • Allen ST; Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
Harm Reduct J ; 19(1): 47, 2022 05 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1910327
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) exacerbated risks for adverse health consequences among people who inject drugs by reducing access to sterile injection equipment, HIV testing, and syringe services programs (SSPs). Several decades of research demonstrate the public health benefits of SSP implementation; however, existing evidence primarily reflects studies conducted in metropolitan areas and before the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES:

We aim to explore how the COVID-19 pandemic affected SSP operations in rural Kentucky counties.

METHODS:

In late 2020, we conducted eighteen in-depth, semi-structured interviews with persons (10 women, 8 men) involved in SSP implementation in rural Kentucky counties. The interview guide broadly explored the barriers and facilitators to SSP implementation in rural communities; participants were also asked to describe how COVID-19 affected SSP operations.

RESULTS:

Participants emphasized the need to continue providing SSP-related services throughout the pandemic. COVID-19 mitigation strategies (e.g., masking, social distancing, pre-packing sterile injection equipment) limited relationship building between staff and clients and, more broadly, the pandemic adversely affected overall program expansion, momentum building, and coalition building. However, participants offered multiple examples of innovative solutions to the myriad of obstacles the pandemic presented.

CONCLUSION:

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted SSP operations throughout rural Kentucky. Despite challenges, participants reported that providing SSP services remained paramount. Diverse adaptative strategies were employed to ensure continuation of essential SSP services, demonstrating the commitment and ingenuity of program staff. Given that SSPs are essential for preventing adverse injection drug use-associated health consequences, further resources should be invested in SSP operations to ensure service delivery is not negatively affected by co-occurring crises.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Substance Abuse, Intravenous / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Limits: Female / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: Harm Reduct J Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12954-022-00631-7

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Substance Abuse, Intravenous / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Limits: Female / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: Harm Reduct J Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12954-022-00631-7