Exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on syringe services programs in rural Kentucky
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 bene...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-05-01
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| Series: | Harm Reduction Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-022-00631-7 |
| _version_ | 1811256785606017024 |
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| author | Jennifer L. Glick Suzanne M. Grieb Samantha J. Harris Brian W. Weir Katherine C. Smith Tyler Puryear Rebecca Hamilton White Sean T. Allen |
| author_facet | Jennifer L. Glick Suzanne M. Grieb Samantha J. Harris Brian W. Weir Katherine C. Smith Tyler Puryear Rebecca Hamilton White Sean T. Allen |
| author_sort | Jennifer L. Glick |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T17:45:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c24085cc1b264dbb8958b21dcc6a074d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1477-7517 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T17:45:33Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Harm Reduction Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-c24085cc1b264dbb8958b21dcc6a074d2022-12-22T03:22:40ZengBMCHarm Reduction Journal1477-75172022-05-011911810.1186/s12954-022-00631-7Exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on syringe services programs in rural KentuckyJennifer L. Glick0Suzanne M. Grieb1Samantha J. Harris2Brian W. Weir3Katherine C. Smith4Tyler Puryear5Rebecca Hamilton White6Sean T. Allen7Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthCenter for Child and Community Health Research, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of MedicineDepartment of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthDepartment of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthDepartment of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthDepartment of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthDepartment of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthDepartment of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-022-00631-7Syringe service programs (SSPs)COVID-19KentuckyRuralPeople who inject drugs (PWID) |
| spellingShingle | Jennifer L. Glick Suzanne M. Grieb Samantha J. Harris Brian W. Weir Katherine C. Smith Tyler Puryear Rebecca Hamilton White Sean T. Allen Exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on syringe services programs in rural Kentucky Harm Reduction Journal Syringe service programs (SSPs) COVID-19 Kentucky Rural People who inject drugs (PWID) |
| title | Exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on syringe services programs in rural Kentucky |
| title_full | Exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on syringe services programs in rural Kentucky |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on syringe services programs in rural Kentucky |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on syringe services programs in rural Kentucky |
| title_short | Exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on syringe services programs in rural Kentucky |
| title_sort | exploring the impact of the covid 19 pandemic on syringe services programs in rural kentucky |
| topic | Syringe service programs (SSPs) COVID-19 Kentucky Rural People who inject drugs (PWID) |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-022-00631-7 |
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