How far will they go? Assessing the travel distance of current and former drug users to access harm reduction services.

Sean Allen,Monica Ruiz,Allison O’Rourke

doi:10.1186/s12954-015-0043-4

Sean Allen, Monica Ruiz + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-015-0043-4

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Abstract

BackgroundPrior research has explored spatial access to syringe exchange programs (SEPs) among people who inject drugs (PWID), but little is known about service utilization by former PWID who continue to access services (e.g., HIV screenings and referrals for social services) at harm reduction providers. The purpose of this research is to examine differences in access to SEPs between current and former PWID seeking services at a mobile SEP in Washington, DC.FindingsA geometric point distance estimation technique was applied to data collected as part of a PWID population estimation study that took place in Washington, DC, in March and April 2014. We calculated the walking distance from the centroid point of home residence zip code to the mobile exchange site where PWID presented for services. An independent samples t-test was used to examine differences in walking distance measures between current and former PWID. Differences in mean walking distance were statistically significant with current and former PWID having mean walking distances of 2.75 and 1.80 miles, respectively.ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest that former PWID who are engaging with SEPs primarily for non-needle exchange services (e.g., medical or social services) may have decreased access to SEPs than their counterparts who are active injectors. This research provides support for expanding SEP operations such that both active and former PWID have increased access to harm reduction providers and associated health and social services. Increasing service accessibility may help resolve unmet needs among current and former PWID.

Highlights

Prior research has explored spatial access to syringe exchange programs (SEPs) among people who inject drugs (PWID), but little is known about service utilization by former PWID who continue to access services (e.g., HIV screenings and referrals for social services) at harm reduction providers
The results of this study suggest that former PWID who are engaging with SEPs primarily for non-needle exchange services may have decreased access to SEPs than their counterparts who are active injectors
Research has quantified the distances between SEPs and areas of relevance to PWID [8], these findings were based on data from 2002–2006 and may not be representative of current SEP access measures

Summary

Introduction

Prior research has explored spatial access to syringe exchange programs (SEPs) among people who inject drugs (PWID), but little is known about service utilization by former PWID who continue to access services (e.g., HIV screenings and referrals for social services) at harm reduction providers. Existing research has empirically demonstrated the public health utility of syringe exchange programs (SEPs) for people who inject drugs (PWID). These programs are cost-effective, decrease the incidence of HIV among injectors, and have not been shown to increase drug use, crime, or presence of discarded syringes in neighborhoods [1,2,3,4,5]. Research has shown that PWID who reside in close proximity to SEPs are more likely to consistently access services [6] and are less likely to share injection equipment [7].

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