Acceptability of supervised injection facilities among persons who inject drugs in upstate New York
Abstract Background Supervised injection facilities (SIFs) provide spaces where persons who inject drugs (PWID) can inject under medical supervision and access harm reduction services. Though SIFs are not currently sanctioned in most of the US, such facilities are being considered for approval in se...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-07-01
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| Series: | Harm Reduction Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-022-00665-x |
| _version_ | 1818162986309648384 |
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| author | Eliana Duncan Sarah Shufelt Meredith Barranco Tomoko Udo |
| author_facet | Eliana Duncan Sarah Shufelt Meredith Barranco Tomoko Udo |
| author_sort | Eliana Duncan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Supervised injection facilities (SIFs) provide spaces where persons who inject drugs (PWID) can inject under medical supervision and access harm reduction services. Though SIFs are not currently sanctioned in most of the US, such facilities are being considered for approval in several Upstate New York communities. No data exist from PWID in Upstate New York, and little from outside major US urban centers, on willingness to use SIFs and associated factors. Methods This analysis included 285 PWID (mean age = 38.7; 57.7% male; 72.3% non-Hispanic white) recruited for a study on hepatitis C prevalence among PWID in Upstate New York, where participants were recruited from syringe exchange programs (n = 80) and able to refer other PWID from their injection networks (n = 223). Participants completed an electronic questionnaire that included a brief description of SIFs and assessed willingness to use SIFs. We compared sociodemographic characteristics, drug use/harm reduction history, healthcare experience, and stigma between participants who were willing vs. unwilling to use such programs. Results Overall, 67.4% were willing to use SIFs, 18.3% unwilling, and 14.4% unsure. Among those reporting being willing or unwilling, we found higher willingness among those who were currently homeless (91.8% vs. 74.6%; p = 0.004), who had interacted with police in the past 12 months (85.7% vs. 74.5%; p = 0.04), and who were refused service within a healthcare setting (100% vs. 77.1%; p = 0.03). Conclusion Our results support SIF acceptability in several Upstate New York PWID communities, particularly among those reporting feelings of marginalization. A large proportion reported being unsure about usage of SIFs, suggesting room for educating PWID on the potential benefits of this service. Our results support SIF acceptability in Upstate New York and may inform programming for underserved PWID, should SIFs become available. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T16:42:23Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-478436729764459584f626523c8aacbb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1477-7517 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T16:42:23Z |
| publishDate | 2022-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Harm Reduction Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-478436729764459584f626523c8aacbb2022-12-22T00:58:17ZengBMCHarm Reduction Journal1477-75172022-07-011911510.1186/s12954-022-00665-xAcceptability of supervised injection facilities among persons who inject drugs in upstate New YorkEliana Duncan0Sarah Shufelt1Meredith Barranco2Tomoko Udo3Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at AlbanyDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at AlbanyDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at AlbanyDepartment of Health Policy, Management, and Behavior, School of Public Health, University at AlbanyAbstract Background Supervised injection facilities (SIFs) provide spaces where persons who inject drugs (PWID) can inject under medical supervision and access harm reduction services. Though SIFs are not currently sanctioned in most of the US, such facilities are being considered for approval in several Upstate New York communities. No data exist from PWID in Upstate New York, and little from outside major US urban centers, on willingness to use SIFs and associated factors. Methods This analysis included 285 PWID (mean age = 38.7; 57.7% male; 72.3% non-Hispanic white) recruited for a study on hepatitis C prevalence among PWID in Upstate New York, where participants were recruited from syringe exchange programs (n = 80) and able to refer other PWID from their injection networks (n = 223). Participants completed an electronic questionnaire that included a brief description of SIFs and assessed willingness to use SIFs. We compared sociodemographic characteristics, drug use/harm reduction history, healthcare experience, and stigma between participants who were willing vs. unwilling to use such programs. Results Overall, 67.4% were willing to use SIFs, 18.3% unwilling, and 14.4% unsure. Among those reporting being willing or unwilling, we found higher willingness among those who were currently homeless (91.8% vs. 74.6%; p = 0.004), who had interacted with police in the past 12 months (85.7% vs. 74.5%; p = 0.04), and who were refused service within a healthcare setting (100% vs. 77.1%; p = 0.03). Conclusion Our results support SIF acceptability in several Upstate New York PWID communities, particularly among those reporting feelings of marginalization. A large proportion reported being unsure about usage of SIFs, suggesting room for educating PWID on the potential benefits of this service. Our results support SIF acceptability in Upstate New York and may inform programming for underserved PWID, should SIFs become available.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-022-00665-xSupervised injection facilitiesPersons who inject drugsDrug overdoseHarm reductionNew York State |
| spellingShingle | Eliana Duncan Sarah Shufelt Meredith Barranco Tomoko Udo Acceptability of supervised injection facilities among persons who inject drugs in upstate New York Harm Reduction Journal Supervised injection facilities Persons who inject drugs Drug overdose Harm reduction New York State |
| title | Acceptability of supervised injection facilities among persons who inject drugs in upstate New York |
| title_full | Acceptability of supervised injection facilities among persons who inject drugs in upstate New York |
| title_fullStr | Acceptability of supervised injection facilities among persons who inject drugs in upstate New York |
| title_full_unstemmed | Acceptability of supervised injection facilities among persons who inject drugs in upstate New York |
| title_short | Acceptability of supervised injection facilities among persons who inject drugs in upstate New York |
| title_sort | acceptability of supervised injection facilities among persons who inject drugs in upstate new york |
| topic | Supervised injection facilities Persons who inject drugs Drug overdose Harm reduction New York State |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-022-00665-x |
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