Pilot evaluation of an educational DVD for people with opioid dependence

Abstract

Aims: There are currently 39,000 people on methadone or buprenorphine treatment in Australia, representing approximately one third of the opioid-dependent population. An educational DVD, entitled Access All Areas, was developed to inform, attract and engage opioid-dependent drug users into treatment, with a view to increasing users’ understanding of the benefits and risks of treatment and factors impacting the way treatment is delivered.Methods: A pilot evaluation of the draft DVD was conducted with 99 opioid users recruited from two public opioid treatment clinics and four Needle Syringe Programs (NSP). Participants viewed a 1-hour segment of the DVD and completed a pre- and post-test knowledge questionnaire, and an evaluation questionnaire.Findings: After viewing the DVD, the majority of participants had a ‘better understanding of the benefits of treatment’ (95%), and were ‘more likely to ask about hepatitis C treatment’ (69%). Among participants not on opioid treatment, 37% were ‘more interested in the idea of treatment’ after viewing the DVD. The mean number of correct responses to knowledge questions increased marginally after viewing the DVD (14/28 vs. 15/28; p <.05). However, there were considerable increases in the proportion of participants who responded correctly to questions regarding pregnancy and opioids, the dental effects of methadone, and hepatitis.Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence of the benefits of this educational resource to people with opioid dependence. Future research is planned evaluating the DVD in a controlled trial exploring treatment engagement, retention, and other outcomes.