Journal article
Exploration of weekly variation in naloxone possession and carriage among people who use opioids in New York City before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic
PloS one, v 19(7), pe0307151
18 Jul 2024
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Background Naloxone is critical for reversing opioid-related overdoses. However, there is a dearth of research examining how naloxone possession and carriage are impacted by time-varying individual and social determinants, and if this differed during the height of the COVID-related mitigation measures (e.g., shutdowns). Methods We utilized weekly ecological momentary assessments (EMA) to measure factors associated with naloxone possession and carriage among 40 people who use illicit opioids in New York City, for 24 months. Descriptive statistics were used to explore the frequency of weeks with consistent naloxone possession and carriage. Mixed effects binary and multivariable logistic regression was used to test for the impact of time-varying EMA- and baseline-level factors on each outcome. Results Approximately 70% of weekly EMAs were associated with consistent naloxone possession or carriage. In multivariable models, compared to during the height of the COVID-related shutdowns (March 12, 2020-May 19, 2021), the time before was associated with lower odds of consistent possession (Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.05, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.01–0.15) and consistent carriage (OR = 0.06, CI = 0.01–0.25). Additionally, being female (OR = 11.15, CI = 2.85–43.42), being White versus being Black or Hispanic/Latinx (OR = 8.05, CI = 1.96–33.06), and lifetime overdose (OR = 1.96, CI = 1.16–19.80) were associated with higher odds of consistent possession. Recent opioid injection (OR = 3.66, CI = 1.34–9.94), being female (OR = 7.91, CI = 3.91–8.23), and being White (OR = 5.77, CI = 1.35–24.55) were associated with higher odds of consistent carriage. Not wanting to be perceived as a drug user was reported in nearly one third (29.0%; 190/656) of EMAs where inconsistent possession was reported. Conclusions Our findings paint a relatively positive picture of possession and carriage during COVID-related shutdowns, particularly among white and female participants, and highlight the importance of capturing time-varying factors to understand naloxone-related behavior. To curb growing disparities, outreach to equip Black and Hispanic/Latinx people with naloxone is needed as well as interventions to reduce stigma as a barrier to naloxone engagement.
Metrics
12 Record Views
Details
- Title
- Exploration of weekly variation in naloxone possession and carriage among people who use opioids in New York City before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic
- Creators
- Alexis M. Roth - Drexel UniversityKathleen M. Ward - Drexel UniversityDevon J. Hensel - Indiana University – Purdue University IndianapolisLuther Elliott - New York College of Health ProfessionsAlex S. Bennett - New York College of Health Professions
- Contributors
- Sairah Hafeez Kamran (Editor)
- Publication Details
- PloS one, v 19(7), pe0307151
- Publisher
- PLOS; SAN FRANCISCO
- Number of pages
- 13
- Grant note
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: DAR01DA046653
This research was supported by grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (DAR01DA046653 [LE, AB]). The fundershad no rolein studydesign,data collectionand analysis,decisionto publish,or preparationof themanuscript.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Dana and David Dornsife School of Public Health; Community Health and Prevention
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001273249400112
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85198964823
- Other Identifier
- 991021894606504721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Substance Abuse