From: Engaging people who use drugs in policy and program development: A review of the literature
Author | Year | Study type | Country | Aims | Results/outcomes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Challenges and barriers involving highly stigmatized populations in policy making decisions | |||||
Bryant et al. | 2008 | Qualitative research | Australia | To describe beliefs about consumer participation in drug treatment services and perceived barriers to consumer participation | The majority of consumers and providers believed in consumer participation; barriers to consumer participation included opinions that it is not the consumers' place to take part, and the lack of interest and skills to participate |
Fischer & Neale | 2008 | Qualitative research | Scotland, England | To explore challenges in the involvement of illicit drug users in the decisions about their treatment | Challenges to involving drug users in treatment decisions include lack of financial resources, communication between professionals and clients, and lack of investment in education, training and skills |
Halloran et al. | 1996 | Pilot project evaluation | USA | To report on the development, implementation and evaluation of Project LEAP, a psychoeducational intervention, to increase participation of PLWHA | Participation from organizations increased from an average of 0.5 organizations at baseline to 2.3 at follow-up; increase in self-esteem, self-confidence, and knowledge were seen in the organizations |
Roy & Cain | 2001 | Participatory action research | Canada | To examine the barriers and obstacles to meaningful involvement of PLWHA | Stereotyping of PLWHA, fear of losing anonymity, usefulness of PLWHA, power imbalances, health concerns are among the barriers that limit the involvement of PLWHA in the development of policies and delivery of services |
Travers et al. | 2008 | Cross-sectional | Canada | To examine barriers and facilitating factors to the greater involvement of PLWHA in community-based research | Challenges to involving PLWHA include HIV-related stigma, health-related challenges, mistrust, and credibility of PLWHA; facilitating factors include training opportunities, financial compensation, building trust |
Success in programs and interventions involving PWUD | |||||
Booth et al. | 2009 | Intervention study | Ukraine | To investigate changes in needle- related risks among IDU following peer leader interventions | Peer leaders significantly reduced needle risk behaviors at 6 months follow-up compared to baseline; findings suggest that peer leader intervention approach may be effective in reducing HIV risk behaviors among IDU in Ukraine |
Broadhead et al. | 1998 | Intervention study | USA | To compare the TOI with a PDI in the context of HIV prevention efforts | Both interventions significantly reduced HIV risk behaviors; PDI reached a larger and more ethnically/geographically diverse population of IDU at a lower expense than TOI |
Canadian Public Health Association | 2005 | Report | Canada | To lay out the ideal response to HIV/AIDS in Canada | Encourages sharing of responsibilities and increasing partnerships to make more effective use of our knowledge, skills and resources |
Crofts & Herkt | 1995 | Literature review | Australia | To review the literature on the histories and impact of user groups in Australia | The role of user groups in Australia is important to the government for preventing further transmission of HIV among IDU and engagement with the groups should continue |
Garfein et al. | 2007 | Randomized control trial | USA | To investigate whether a peer-education intervention can reduce injection and sexual risk behaviors associated with HIV and Hepatitis C in young IDU | The peer intervention reduced injection risk behaviors among young IDU by 29% overall at 6 months postintervention compared to control and 76% reduction compared to baseline; Sexual risk behaviors were also decreased postintervention |
Hayashi et al. | 2010 | Cohort study | Canada | To evaluate a peer-run outreach-based syringe exchange program by VANDU called the Alley Patrol | The Alley Patrol was successful in reaching a higher risk group of IDU and was significantly associated with lower levels of needle reuse (AOR=0.65) |
Latkin et al. | 2003 | Intervention study | USA | To investigate whether a network-oriented peer outreach intervention is associated with HIV prevention among drug users | In the experimental group, participants were 3 times more likely to report reduction in injection risk behavior and 4 times more likely to report increased condom use than controls; peer outreach strategies may be useful in reducing HIV risk behaviors in drug using communities |
Purcell et al. | 2007 | Intervention study | USA | To investigate the efficacy of a peerHIV prevention program with PWUD through a project called the Risk Avoidance Partnership* project | Participants reported significant reductions of injection and sexual risk behaviors compared to baseline but there were no significant changes in medical outcomes |
Weeks et al. | 2009 | Intervention study | USA | To investigate outcomes of a peer HIV prevention program with PWUD through a project called "The Risk Avoidance Partnership" project | Results show a significant HIV risk reduction among all study participants at 6 months follow-up compared to baseline |
A call for increasing the engagement of PWUD in policy making decisions | |||||
Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network | 2005 | Report | Canada | To explain why PWUD need to be involved in the response to blood borne diseases and drug use | Recommendations to increase meaningful involvement of PWUD were highlighted |
Charlois | 2009 | Report | Netherlands | To address issues of substance use and trafficking at frontline levels | Recommendations to increase involvement of drug users' participation through expertise and practice sharing |
Kerr et al. | 2006 | Community-based case study | Canada | To document the activities and structure of VANDU using a community-based case methodology | VANDU is highly involved in advocacy, activism, and public education of PWUD and provide support and care for their peers |
Osborn & Small | 2006 | Response article | Canada | To understand the role of PWUD in influencing drug policies in Vancouver, BC | Organizations such as VANDU have enormous impact on municipal drug policy through activism |
UNAIDS | 2007 | Policy brief | - | To highlight challenges, actions, and the importance of the greater involvement of PLWHA | Recommendations to achieving greater involvement of PLWHA through government actions and actions from organizations of PLWHA; challenges include weak management, low skill levels, lack of funding |