Structural and community changes during COVID-19 and their effects on overdose precursors among rural people who use drugs: a mixed-methods analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Drug overdose rates in the United States have been steadily increasing, particularly in rural areas. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated mitigation strategies may have increased overdose risk for people who use drugs by impacting social, community, and structural factors.

Methods

The study included a quantitative survey focused on COVID-19 administered to 50 people who use drugs and semi-structured qualitative interviews with 17 people who use drugs, 12 of whom also participated in the quantitative survey. Descriptive statistics were run for the quantitative data. Qualitative coding was line-by-line then grouped thematically. Quantitative and qualitative data were integrated during analysis.

Results

Findings demonstrate how COVID-19 disruptions at the stru

SUBMITTER: Walters SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9037978 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature