Theme: Clinical Research Year: 2024
Background: Sweden has one of Europe’s highest overdose mortality rates. Supervised consumption sites (SCS) provide a safer environment for individuals to consume drugs under the supervision of healthcare professionals. Despite internationally documented benefits of SCS and successful implementations in neighbouring countries (Denmark and Norway), Sweden has yet to adopt SCS for enhanced harm reduction care for people who inject drugs (PWID). Understanding the attitudes and preferences of PWID towards SCS adoption is crucial for effective implementation.
Methods: This mixed-methods study, conducted in Stockholm, employed questionnaires and interviews to explore PWID perspectives. A cross-sectional 28-item questionnaire with open-ended and closed questions gather data on demographics, risk environment, willingness to engage with SCS, and opinions on potential regulations. Qualitative interviews provide deeper insights into participants’ health risks and thoughts on SCS design.
Results: Among the so far 122 respondents included, the majority reported unstable housing, prior opioid overdose experiences, regular assisted injection, and public drug use. Overall, 74.6% expressed willingness to use SCS, driven primarily by concerns about privacy and ”not wanting to be seen by the general public” (38.7%). However, some potential SCS regulations, such as prohibiting groin/neck injections, assisted injection, and drug sharing, were met with resistance. Additionally, the lack of privacy when injecting in front of SCS staff emerged as a potential barrier to usage.
These are provisional data. The study aims for 300 questionnaire participants and 10 interviewees. Further results will be presented at the conference.
Conclusion:
Our results suggest high SCS acceptability among a marginalized cohort of PWID in Stockholm. Results confirm and extend prior research by illuminating PWID perceptions, including important preferences and conditions to consider when designing a future SCS in Sweden for its target group.