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Public Health Outcomes as a Measure of Efficacy of Syringe Exchange Programs
Corse, Andrew Donaldson, Katelyn Gallagher, Andrew Li, Anita Pratt, Morgan R Smith, Benjamin F. Tajik, Amelia V. Jacobsen, Peter Vezina, T. Larrabee, Jerry
Corse, Andrew
Donaldson, Katelyn
Gallagher, Andrew
Li, Anita
Pratt, Morgan R
Smith, Benjamin F.
Tajik, Amelia V.
Jacobsen, Peter
Vezina, T.
Larrabee, Jerry
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Abstract
Introduction. A syringe exchange is a public health intervention that offers nonjudgmental services to intravenous drug users (IVDU), providing clean syringes in exchange for used syringes. While prior studies demonstrated that syringe exchanges can reduce transmission of HIV, hepatitis C, and other blood-borne pathogens, other measures of health improvements have been less studied. Methods. 91 members of Vermont CARES syringe exchange program were surveyed on their healthcare practices. New members were defined asprogram. Results. Long-term members tended to have a primary care provider (PCP). Lack of insurance and fear of judgment were commonly cited reasons for not having a PCP. Long-term members were significantly less likely (p=0.04) to use costly emergency department (ED) services and less likely to reuse their own or another person's needles. Long-term members were more likely to be in addiction treatment and reported a greater desire to abstain from drug use. New members were more likely to obtain hepatitis C and HIV testing in the past year. Discussion. Subjects responded positively to the possibility of accessing PCP services through VT CARES, offering a continuation of the nonjudgmental healthcare environment. Decreased ED visits significantly correlated with longer membership, reflecting the positive impact of the syringe exchange education services on reducing healthcare costs. Decreased testing among long-term members may reflect prior knowledge of their status. Long-term members were less likely to reuse their own needles or ones used by another person, suggesting the distribution of clean syringes encourages safer injection practices.
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Date
2017-01-18