The impact of COVID-19 on access to harm reduction, substance use treatment and recovery services in Scotland: a qualitative study.
COVID-19
Harm reduction
Opioid replacement treatment
Recovery
Substance use
Journal
BMC public health
ISSN: 1471-2458
Titre abrégé: BMC Public Health
Pays: England
ID NLM: 100968562
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
15 03 2022
15 03 2022
Historique:
received:
10
12
2021
accepted:
24
02
2022
entrez:
15
3
2022
pubmed:
16
3
2022
medline:
25
3
2022
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
People who use drugs (PWUD) are considered vulnerable to COVID-19 exposure and the sequelae of infection due to their social circumstances, health conditions, drug purchasing, and substance use. They can depend on access to services that provide harm reduction, substance use treatment, recovery and support, and general healthcare. Social distancing measures and service restrictions posed significant challenges to the health and wellbeing of PWUD. Ethical approvals were secured. PWUD were recruited from voluntary sector homeless and housing, harm reduction, and recovery organisations across central Scotland. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews and analysed using the Framework Method. Twenty nine PWUD participated and reported mixed experiences of the impacts of COVID-19 lockdown. Several benefitted from policy and practice developments designed to sustain or increase access to harm reduction services. Some PWUD reported improved access to substitute prescribing and/or appreciated being trusted to manage multiple take-home doses. Others noted the loss of regular in-person contact with treatment providers and dispensers. Access to recovery support was challenging for many, especially those unable to access or uncomfortable with online provision who experienced greater isolation. Lack of access to general healthcare services was common, and especially problematic for PWUD with chronic physical and mental health conditions. This qualitative research describes the impacts of COVID-19 social and service restrictions on PWUD in Scotland. These impacts were anticipated by policy makers and service providers. Effective and acceptable developments were shown to maintain and even increase service provision for PWUD. Developments were geographically dependent and significant challenges remained for many people. The learning generated can inform responses to increase service access and uptake in post-pandemic times.
Identifiants
pubmed: 35287630
doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-12873-y
pii: 10.1186/s12889-022-12873-y
pmc: PMC8920805
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
500Subventions
Organisme : Chief Scientist Office
ID : COV/STG/20/10
Pays : United Kingdom
Informations de copyright
© 2022. The Author(s).
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