The impact of a 24‐hour syringe dispensing machine on a face‐to‐face needle and syringe program and targeted primary healthcare clinic

Autor: Natalia Uthurralt, Anica McGlinn, Martin O'Donnell, Paul S. Haber, Carolyn A. Day
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2022
Předmět:
Zdroj: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, Vol 46, Iss 4, Pp 524-526 (2022)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1753-6405
1326-0200
DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.13267
Popis: Abstract Objective: Automatic syringe dispensing machines (ADM) have become an important adjunct to Australia's needle and syringe programs (NSP). However, concerns that they reduce face‐to‐face contact with health staff and other health interventions remain. We examined changes in the number of needle/syringes dispensed at an ADM and occasions of service at a co‐located face‐to‐face NSP and targeted primary healthcare clinic during the first wave of COVID‐19 restrictions. Methods: We reviewed data from an inner‐city harm reduction program during the study period of April 2020 to March 2021 compared to the previous year. Multivariable linear regression models were used to estimate the association between occasions of service and equipment distribution. Results: ADM‐dispensed equipment increased significantly by 41.1%, while face‐to‐face NSP occasions decreased by 16.2%. Occasions provided by the targeted primary healthcare clinic increased by 59.7% per month. Conclusion: We have shown that 24‐hour ADM access did not adversely affect the number of people using targeted primary healthcare when provided within close proximity. Implication for public health: These findings reinforce the demand for 24‐hour needle/syringe access and can be used to support the expanded access to ADMs, especially where people who inject drugs (PWID) have access to appropriate healthcare.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals