Theme: Models of Care Year: 2024
Background: Low engagement with mobile phones and computer technologies amongst people who inject drugs (PWID) in South Africa affects communication and quality of care. We assessed the proportion of PWID engaging with communication technologies amongst a cohort of 200 PWID on ART, OST and the program Community Advisory Board (CAB) aged between 19 and 35 years. We found that 100% had owned a mobile phone, 85% had sold the phone, 12% had lost the phone and 3% had their phone taken away by a relative or friend. While 60% could use a relative or friend’s phone to communicate with others, 38% and 2% used word-of-mouth and written communication respectively. Most communication related to work opportunities. Although 40% and 8% accessed social media platforms to search for opportunities and exchange information respectively, 92% of these accessed these once a quarter.
Description of intervention: We co-designed a “Caring4us” intervention to enhance effective communication through strengthening PWID social networks. PWID identified a Network Lead at each site whom we capacitated to communicate effectively with Network Members. All network members shared details of their support structures, created daily check-up schedule, and created rules about sharing health information and changes in location, travel and visits. Network leads feedback the information to the program outreach team weekly and on an ad hoc basis when there is an emergency.
Effectiveness: Participants in Caring4Us are communicating more effectively, attest to have a sense of community and have build healthy interactions amongst themselves and their support structures. Emergency relief interventions, health literacy and safety have been enhanced.
Conclusion and next steps: Strengthening social networks can improve quality of care by improving communication among PWID community and their support structures. Network Leaders and outreach teams need more capacity building to enhance social capital and mutual trust.
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