Leveraging existing provider networks in Europe to eliminate barriers to accessing opioid agonist maintenance therapies for Ukrainian refugees.

ABSTRACT: Russia's invasion of Ukraine caused a major refugee crisis, particularly impacting Central and Eastern Europe. Ukraine has one of the highest prevalence rates of opioid use disorder (OUD) in Europe, which increases the risk of HIV spread due to injection drug use. Opioid agonist maintenance therapies (OAMT) are a gold standard treatment for OUD and the prevention of HIV spread. Refugees who were displaced and previously maintained on OAMT in Ukraine require reliable care continuity, but OAMT is often highly regulated making it difficult to access. Using an implementation science lens, we sought to understand the barriers and facilitators that might impede OAMT continuity. We performed 23 semi-structured interviews with displaced patients with OUD and providers of OAMT and harm reduction. I

SUBMITTER: Nikitin BM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10343058 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature