Characteristics and attendance patterns of a fixed-site NSP and nearby SVM: The benefits of 24-hour access to sterile injecting equipment

Abstract

Aims: This article describes the characteristics and attendance patterns of clients of a co-located fixed-site needle and syringe program (NSP) and syringe vending machine (SVM) to assess the utilisation and benefits of providing access to multiple distribution services. Methods: Data were collected through cross-sectional surveys with a convenience sample of NSP (n = 98) and SVM (n = 91) recruited attendees in Sydney, Australia. Surveys collected demographic data, self-reported injecting patterns, self-reported receptive equipment sharing, knowledge of hepatitis C and utilisation of the fixed-site NSP and SVM services. Findings: The demographic profile and characteristics of these NSP and SVM groups were similar; no differences were evident in knowledge about hepatitis C risk practices or type of drug used, frequency of injecting, sharing of injecting equipment and place of injecting. Both fixed-site NSP- and SVM-recruited attendees primarily accessed equipment from the fixed-site NSP in the last month. The SVM was usually accessed outside the opening hours of the fixed-site NSP, between 8 pm and 4 am, or in circumstances where equipment could not be obtained from the NSP. Conclusions: Findings support the argument that SVMs act as a complementary service alongside fixed-site NSP services and indicate that providing 24-h access to syringes through multiple mechanisms has benefits for provision of sterile equipment to people who inject drugs.