Rapid evidence review of harm reduction interventions and messaging for people who inject drugs during pandemic events: implications for the ongoing COVID-19 response.

ABSTRACT:

Background

People who inject drugs are at increased health risk in a pandemic due to their greater susceptibility to severe disease and as a consequence of the restrictions put in place to halt the spread of infection. Harm reduction (HR) services, which aim to reduce the negative effects of drug use on health, are likely to be diminished in a pandemic. However, innovative HR interventions and messaging may also develop in response to such a crisis. It is vital to understand the most effective ways to deliver HR in pandemic situations so that guidance can be provided for current and future disruptions to service provision.

Methods

A rapid evidence review was conducted with the aim of exploring what HR interventions and messaging are most effective during a pandemic-type situ

SUBMITTER: Wilkinson R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7705852 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature