Theme: Social Science & Policy Research Year: 2024
Background: Since 2019, multiple HIV and HCV outbreaks have occurred among people who inject drugs (PWID) in the state of Minnesota, with rural Minnesota and underserved communities experiencing disparities in access to harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services. We conducted a mixed-methods assessment to capture the voice of PWID in rural Minnesota and determine how substance use patterns could inform public health outreach initiatives.
Methods: In the summer of 2022, an interagency and interprofessional team conducted a cross-sectional online survey of clients accessing SSP, treatment, and recovery services in rural northern Minnesota. The survey allowed individuals to answer open ended questions on current drug use patterns and preferences, history of drug use, circumstances around the first use of drugs, harm reduction access, patterns of syringe use/re-use and disposal, perceptions of the seriousness of the HIV and HCV outbreaks in the state, and perceptions on the utility of an overdose prevention center (OPC). Consensual Qualitative Research methodology was used to analyze the data.
Results: A total of 149 individuals completed the survey, representing a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences. The majority of respondents used injection drugs and had experience accessing supplies through a syringe services program. Through a quantitative survey and short answer questions, respondents shared their opinion on syringe use, experience with harm reduction services, and their personal and perceived community perceptions of OPCs. The majority of participants had a positive experience with harm reduction organizations and had a positive view of OPCs, however felt that the greater community would be skeptical of an OPC.
Conclusion: Through quantitative and consensual qualitative analysis, this community needs assessment gathered the views and experiences with substance use and harm reduction services to better understand the needs and priorities of this community and advocate for supportive policies and public health interventions.