Impacts of mandated data collection on syringe distribution programs in the United States.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Syringe Distribution Programs (SDPs) are a well-proven public health response to the spread of HIV and other blood borne illnesses among people who inject drugs. Many SDPs in the United States are required to collect data from service users as a condition of either legal authorization to operate or as a condition of funding. We sought to describe the prevalence of such externally mandated data collection and impact on service delivery at syringe distribution programs (SDPs) in the United States via an online survey.

Methods

Online survey of SDPs in the US.

Results

63 SDPs participated. 95•2% collected data about individual service users, with 76•7% being mandated to do so by an external entity as a condition of legal authorization, and/or as a condition of

SUBMITTER: Davidson P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7308185 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature