The impact of a 24‐hour syringe dispensing machine on a face‐to‐face needle and syringe program and targeted primary healthcare clinic
Abstract Objective: Automatic syringe dispensing machines (ADM) have become an important adjunct to Australia's needle and syringe programs (NSP). However, concerns that they reduce face‐to‐face contact with health staff and other health interventions remain. We examined changes in the number o...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2022-08-01
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| Series: | Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.13267 |
| _version_ | 1797761109191557120 |
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| author | Natalia Uthurralt Anica McGlinn Martin O'Donnell Paul S. Haber Carolyn A. Day |
| author_facet | Natalia Uthurralt Anica McGlinn Martin O'Donnell Paul S. Haber Carolyn A. Day |
| author_sort | Natalia Uthurralt |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objective: Automatic syringe dispensing machines (ADM) have become an important adjunct to Australia's needle and syringe programs (NSP). However, concerns that they reduce face‐to‐face contact with health staff and other health interventions remain. We examined changes in the number of needle/syringes dispensed at an ADM and occasions of service at a co‐located face‐to‐face NSP and targeted primary healthcare clinic during the first wave of COVID‐19 restrictions. Methods: We reviewed data from an inner‐city harm reduction program during the study period of April 2020 to March 2021 compared to the previous year. Multivariable linear regression models were used to estimate the association between occasions of service and equipment distribution. Results: ADM‐dispensed equipment increased significantly by 41.1%, while face‐to‐face NSP occasions decreased by 16.2%. Occasions provided by the targeted primary healthcare clinic increased by 59.7% per month. Conclusion: We have shown that 24‐hour ADM access did not adversely affect the number of people using targeted primary healthcare when provided within close proximity. Implication for public health: These findings reinforce the demand for 24‐hour needle/syringe access and can be used to support the expanded access to ADMs, especially where people who inject drugs (PWID) have access to appropriate healthcare. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T19:08:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6b82b86f439b4586b359642b03cd9234 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1326-0200 1753-6405 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T19:08:14Z |
| publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-6b82b86f439b4586b359642b03cd92342023-08-02T06:04:07ZengElsevierAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health1326-02001753-64052022-08-0146452452610.1111/1753-6405.13267The impact of a 24‐hour syringe dispensing machine on a face‐to‐face needle and syringe program and targeted primary healthcare clinicNatalia Uthurralt0Anica McGlinn1Martin O'Donnell2Paul S. Haber3Carolyn A. Day4Drug Health Services Sydney Local Health District New South WalesDrug Health Services Sydney Local Health District New South WalesDrug Health Services Sydney Local Health District New South WalesDrug Health Services Sydney Local Health District New South WalesEdith Collins Centre (Translational Research in Alcohol, Drugs and Toxicology) Sydney Local Health District New South WalesAbstract Objective: Automatic syringe dispensing machines (ADM) have become an important adjunct to Australia's needle and syringe programs (NSP). However, concerns that they reduce face‐to‐face contact with health staff and other health interventions remain. We examined changes in the number of needle/syringes dispensed at an ADM and occasions of service at a co‐located face‐to‐face NSP and targeted primary healthcare clinic during the first wave of COVID‐19 restrictions. Methods: We reviewed data from an inner‐city harm reduction program during the study period of April 2020 to March 2021 compared to the previous year. Multivariable linear regression models were used to estimate the association between occasions of service and equipment distribution. Results: ADM‐dispensed equipment increased significantly by 41.1%, while face‐to‐face NSP occasions decreased by 16.2%. Occasions provided by the targeted primary healthcare clinic increased by 59.7% per month. Conclusion: We have shown that 24‐hour ADM access did not adversely affect the number of people using targeted primary healthcare when provided within close proximity. Implication for public health: These findings reinforce the demand for 24‐hour needle/syringe access and can be used to support the expanded access to ADMs, especially where people who inject drugs (PWID) have access to appropriate healthcare.https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.13267automatic syringe dispensing machinesface‐to‐face care, primary healthcarepeople who inject drugs |
| spellingShingle | Natalia Uthurralt Anica McGlinn Martin O'Donnell Paul S. Haber Carolyn A. Day The impact of a 24‐hour syringe dispensing machine on a face‐to‐face needle and syringe program and targeted primary healthcare clinic Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health automatic syringe dispensing machines face‐to‐face care, primary healthcare people who inject drugs |
| title | The impact of a 24‐hour syringe dispensing machine on a face‐to‐face needle and syringe program and targeted primary healthcare clinic |
| title_full | The impact of a 24‐hour syringe dispensing machine on a face‐to‐face needle and syringe program and targeted primary healthcare clinic |
| title_fullStr | The impact of a 24‐hour syringe dispensing machine on a face‐to‐face needle and syringe program and targeted primary healthcare clinic |
| title_full_unstemmed | The impact of a 24‐hour syringe dispensing machine on a face‐to‐face needle and syringe program and targeted primary healthcare clinic |
| title_short | The impact of a 24‐hour syringe dispensing machine on a face‐to‐face needle and syringe program and targeted primary healthcare clinic |
| title_sort | impact of a 24 hour syringe dispensing machine on a face to face needle and syringe program and targeted primary healthcare clinic |
| topic | automatic syringe dispensing machines face‐to‐face care, primary healthcare people who inject drugs |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.13267 |
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