Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation
12-2021
Document Type
Doctoral Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph. D.
Department
Social Work
Degree Program
Social Work, PhD
Committee Chair
Collins-Camargo, Crysal
Committee Co-Chair (if applicable)
Golder, Seana
Committee Member
Golder, Seana
Committee Member
Hall, Martin
Committee Member
Harris, Leslie
Committee Member
Wendel, Monica
Author's Keywords
needle exchange program; syringe exchange program; harm reduction; harm reduction programs
Abstract
As the opioid epidemic lingers on across the country, many areas have set up harm reduction strategies such as needle exchange programs (NEPs) to combat the long-term consequences of injection drug use (IDU). Males and females face a plethora of health issues associated with injection drug use such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C. While males comprise the largest portion of the injection drug use population, most research is gender neutral, which makes it difficult to discern issues specifically related to females inhibiting our ability to design interventions and procedures targeted to address their needs. Females require varying reproductive health needs, prenatal healthcare services and childcare. The research explores service provider perspectives on facilitators and barriers to needle exchange program participation by females who inject drugs. The study is descriptive and exploratory in nature using survey methodology. Data was collected from mailed surveys to needle exchange program staff from Kentucky and the seven bordering states (Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia). Exchange theory, the health belief model and feminist theory and intersectionality were used as the theoretical frameworks to explain human behavior and what motivates people who inject drugs to utilize needle exchange programs. Determining the facilitators and barriers females face in accessing needle exchange programs will allow for revisions in service delivery and policy changes to promote increased utilization of services by females who inject drugs.
Recommended Citation
Thomas, Tammi Alvey, "Exploring service provider perspectives on facilitators and barriers to needle exchange program participation by females who inject drugs." (2021). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3741.
https://doi.org/10.18297/etd/3741
