Qualitative accounts of needle and syringe cleaning techniques among people who inject drugs in Sydney, Australia

Abstract

Results suggest that even where cleaning of needles and syringes is widespread, people who inject drugs may not engage in efficacious cleaning. The combination of the complexity of current cleaning messages and a lack of accurate information about efficacious techniques are likely to contribute to poor cleaning practice. Australia could benefit from the development of a nationally consistent cleaning message; however, the evidence would suggest that this would need to be accompanied by strategies designed to simplify and disseminate this information in order to increase the uptake of efficacious cleaning methods by people who inject drugs.

A review of qualitative research in Drug and Alcohol Review

“…Some of the first, and most renowned, studies in the field of alcohol and other drugs involved qualitative research, particularly ethnography, to examine the social contexts of drug markets and drug use in various settings [3–5]. Over the years, qualitative research methods and techniques have informed our knowledge and understanding of the health risks associated with alcohol and drug use [6], provided user perspectives on the acceptability of prevention interventions and experiences of treatment and harm‐reduction services [7,8], and examined programme implementation [9]. Qualitative methods have enriched the alcohol and other drug field through the identification of new and emerging phenomena [10] and elucidation of social exclusion and inequality [11,12].…”

The Prison Economy of Needles and Syringes: What Opportunities Exist for Blood Borne Virus Risk Reduction When Prices Are so High?

“…In prisons without a formal needle exchange program to deliver sterile equipment, the opportunities for inmates who inject drugs to minimise BBV risk are limited to strategies such as not injecting, using only sterile equipment, or attempting to clean the equipment between uses. While the cleaning of used equipment has been described as sub-standard in community settings [ 9 ], it is particularly difficult to achieve in prison where cleaning products may not be available or may be difficult to access and prison inmates may fear detection by corrections officers [ 10 , 11 ]. Other strategies to prevent BBVs available to inmates in NSW prisons include access to condoms via vending machines and all inmates at risk of BBVs are offered hepatitis B vaccination [ 12 ].…”