A qualitative study exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) and drug service provision in the UK: PWID and service provider perspectives.

ABSTRACT:

Background

People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) are subject to distinct socio-structural inequalities that can expose them to high risks of COVID-19 transmission and related health and social complications. In response to COVID-19 mitigation strategies, these vulnerabilities are being experienced in the context of adapted drug treatment service provision, including reduced in-person support and increased regulatory flexibility in opioid substitution therapy (OST) guidelines. This study aimed to explore the longer-term impact of the pandemic on the health and wellbeing of PWID in the UK, including provider and client experiences of treatment changes.

Methods

Interviews were conducted with 19 PWID and 17 drug treatment providers between May and September 2021, recruited from drug an

SUBMITTER: May T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9135844 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature