TY - JOUR
T1 - Exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on syringe services programs in rural Kentucky
AU - Glick, Jennifer L.
AU - Grieb, Suzanne M.
AU - Harris, Samantha J.
AU - Weir, Brian W.
AU - Smith, Katherine C.
AU - Puryear, Tyler
AU - Hamilton White, Rebecca
AU - Allen, Sean T.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Author(s).
PY - 2022/12
Y1 - 2022/12
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - COVID-19
KW - Kentucky
KW - People who inject drugs (PWID)
KW - Rural
KW - Syringe service programs (SSPs)
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85130356257&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85130356257&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/s12954-022-00631-7
DO - 10.1186/s12954-022-00631-7
M3 - Article
C2 - 35590373
AN - SCOPUS:85130356257
SN - 1477-7517
VL - 19
JO - Harm reduction journal
JF - Harm reduction journal
IS - 1
M1 - 47
ER -