Dataset Information

COVID-19 survey among people who use drugs in three cities in Norway.

ABSTRACT: Background: Little is known regarding what people who use drugs (PWUD) know about COVID-19 related issues and changes in the drug market due to COVID-19. We therefore conducted a survey to explore these issues.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, we interviewed 226 PWUD from three Norwegian cities in May/June 2020. Participants completed an interview-administrated questionnaire. Three separate multiple binary logistic regression models were estimated with the outcomes (no/yes): 1. Familiarity with COVID-19 symptoms, 2. Awareness of COVID-19 services tailored towards PWUD and, 3. Willingness to take a COVID-19 test.

Results: The mean age was 44.1 years and 73 % were males. Fifty-four percent were injectors, and heroin/other opioids (35.8 %) and cocaine/amphetamine (25.2 %) were the most common main drugs used. Overall, 54.9 % were in opioid maintenance treatment (OMT). The majority (65.9 %) stated they knew the COVID-19 symptoms. Almost all the participants (91.2 %) reported they would take a COVID-19 test if experiencing relevant symptoms. The majority (63.7 %) were not aware of COVID-19 services available to PWUD. OMT patients were more likely to be familiar with COVID-19 symptoms (aOR = 3.4, 95 % CI 1.7; 6.8), and to be aware of COVID-19 services (aOR = 2.7, 95 % CI 1.1; 6.3). Overall, 35.4 % reported reduced drug availability, mainly for tranquilizers, while 61.5 % reported increased drug prices, mainly for cannabis.

Conclusion: Drug treatment may play an important role in COVID-19 prevention, as those in OMT were more likely to be aware of symptoms and of availability of services.

SUBMITTER: Welle-Strand GK

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7500397 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

COVID-19 survey among people who use drugs in three cities in Norway.

Welle-Strand Gabrielle K GK Skurtveit Svetlana S Clausen Thomas T Sundal Christine C Gjersing Linn L

Drug and alcohol dependence 20200918

<h4>Background</h4>Little is known regarding what people who use drugs (PWUD) know about COVID-19 related issues and changes in the drug market due to COVID-19. We therefore conducted a survey to explore these issues.<h4>Methods</h4>In a cross-sectional study, we interviewed 226 PWUD from three Norwegian cities in May/June 2020. Participants completed an interview-administrated questionnaire. Three separate multiple binary logistic regression models were estimated with the outcomes (no/yes): 1. ...[more]

PMID: 32961453

Similar Datasets

Project description:IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has forced rapid reconsideration as to the way in which health care is delivered. One potential means to provide care while avoiding unnecessary person-to-person contact is to offer remote services (telemedicine). This study aimed to (1) gather real-time information on the use and perception of telemedicine in people living with type 1 diabetes and (2) assess the challenges, such as restricted access to health care and/or medical supplies.MethodsAn anonymous questionnaire was widely distributed between 24 March and 5 May 2020 using an open-access web-based platform. Data were analysed descriptively, and results were stratified according to age, sex and HbA1c.ResultsThere were 7477 survey responses from individuals in 89 countries. Globally, 30% reported that the pandemic had affected their healthcare access due to cancelled physical appointments with their healthcare providers. Thirty-two per cent reported no fundamental change in their medical follow-up during this period, with 9% stating that no personal contact was established with their doctors over the duration of the study. Twenty-eight per cent received remote care through telephone (72%) or video-calls (28%). Of these, 86% found remote appointments useful and 75% plan to have remote appointments in the future. Glucose control, indicated by HbA1c, was positively associated with positive perception of telemedicine. In males, 45% of respondents with an HbA1c > 9% rated telemedicine not useful compared to those with lower HbA1c, while 20% of females with an HbA1c > 9% rated it not useful (χ2 = 14.2, P = .0016).ConclusionRemote appointments have largely been perceived as positive in people with type 1 diabetes with the majority (75%) stating that they would consider remote appointments beyond the pandemic. Age and level of education do not appear to influence perception of telemedicine, whereas poor glucose control, particularly in males, seems to negatively affect perception.

Dataset Information

COVID-19 survey among people who use drugs in three cities in Norway.

Publications

COVID-19 survey among people who use drugs in three cities in Norway.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure