Reed Megan K, Guth Amanda, Salcedo Venise J, Hom Jeffrey K, Rising Kristin L
Department of Emergency Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Center for Connected Care, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Center for Connected Care, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Int J Drug Policy. 2022 May;103:103643. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103643. Epub 2022 Mar 4.
Unintentional drug overdose fatalities due to fentanyl contamination continue to increase. Fentanyl test strip (FTS) use has emerged as a valuable harm reduction strategy to detect the presence of fentanyl in drugs. However, motivation for FTS uptake and context surrounding use have not been well characterized in the literature. This study aimed to capture people who use drugs' (PWUD) lived experiences to understand motivations underlying FTS uptake, ongoing use, and actions after testing.
We conducted qualitative interviews with PWUD at a harm reduction organization in Philadelphia, PA. Interviews asked about experiences with using FTS. Interviews were audio-recorded, professionally transcribed, and reviewed. Data were analyzed through a conventional content analysis approach and organized into broader categories via team consensus.
Twenty-nine PWUD with experience using FTS were interviewed between January and May 2021. Interviews were organized into three thematic categories: first time use of FTS, patterns of FTS use, and contextual factors of FTS use. Motivations to use FTS among PWUD varied, but were largely driven by factors related to knowledge, access, neighborhood, and drug market trends. Frequency of use was characterized by number of FTS, ongoing FTS access, and drug purchasing location and amount. Participants reported few logistical barriers to testing.
This research supports the current literature that states FTS are an accepted and effective harm reduction strategy for the PWUD community. To support increased use of FTS, distribution campaigns should be widespread geographically and provide enough strips to ensure availability for PWUD to test more frequently.
因芬太尼污染导致的意外药物过量死亡人数持续增加。芬太尼检测试纸（FTS）的使用已成为一种有价值的减少伤害策略，用于检测毒品中芬太尼的存在。然而，文献中对FTS使用的动机和使用背景的描述并不充分。本研究旨在了解吸毒者（PWUD）的生活经历，以理解FTS使用、持续使用及检测后行为背后的动机。
我们在宾夕法尼亚州费城的一个减少伤害组织对PWUD进行了定性访谈。访谈询问了使用FTS的经历。访谈进行了录音、专业转录和审核。数据通过传统的内容分析方法进行分析，并通过团队共识归纳为更广泛的类别。
2021年1月至5月期间，对29名有FTS使用经验的PWUD进行了访谈。访谈分为三个主题类别：FTS的首次使用、FTS的使用模式以及FTS使用的背景因素。PWUD中使用FTS的动机各不相同，但主要受与知识、获取途径、社区及毒品市场趋势相关的因素驱动。使用频率以FTS的数量、持续获取FTS的情况以及毒品购买地点和数量来衡量。参与者表示检测几乎没有后勤障碍。
本研究支持现有文献观点，即FTS是PWUD群体可接受且有效的减少伤害策略。为支持增加FTS的使用，分发活动应在地理上广泛开展，并提供足够的试纸，以确保PWUD有更多机会更频繁地进行检测。
