dbGaP Study Accession: phs003362

NIH Institute/Center: NIDA

RADx Data Program: RADx-UP

DOI: 10.60773/66qd-hj95

Release Date: 03/04/2024

Study Description: This Phase III project built on the successes of the Phase I and Phase II projects but used a novel approach to adapt to the changing pandemic context; facilitation of rapid testing by people who inject drugs (PWID) via a supported employment program that trains PWID as peer health workers (PHW). PWID are vulnerable to contracting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and to the effects of the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to structural disadvantage, health vulnerabilities, and stigmatization that prevents adequate access to medical care. While the project has previously processed more than 6,000 self-collected polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for PWID across the state of Oregon, the ever-changing nature of the pandemic, including new variants and the availability of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, called for additional strategies that can increase access to and uptake of testing among PWID. Rapid tests may offer an advantage over PCR tests for PWID experiencing structural vulnerabilities such as houselessness and lack of access to technology so that they can receive results in real-time and be quickly connected to needed resources. Accessibility of rapid testing for PWID has been previously limited by workforce shortages and the inability to reach PWID who need testing. This study proposed a novel community-engaged strategy to improve the accessibility of rapid tests through a supported employment program for PWID, Peer Connect2Test (PeerC2T), to become PHW to distribute SARS-CoV-2 rapid test kits to other PWID. It was expected that PeerC2T would improve knowledge, self-efficacy, and health behaviors among PHW (Aim 1). The RE-AIM framework was used in Aims 2 and 3 to evaluate whether PeerC2T improves SARS-CoV-2 testing uptake among other PWID (RE; Aim 2) and identify intervention considerations (AIM; Aim 3). The overall goal of this project was to build on the partnership with HIVA to develop a transformative community-driven intervention to promote widespread access to rapid testing among PWID. Collaboration will continue with the RADx-UP Coordination and Data Collection Center. Findings will clarify the implications of supported employment programs for PWID for SARS-CoV-2 testing uptake among PWID and other public health efforts to improve health outcomes among PWID. Thus, findings from this study may have broad public health implications for leveraging supported employment programs for PWID to prevent the transmission of other infectious diseases.

Updated Date: 03/04/2024

Principal Investigator: Cioffi, Camille C

Has Data Files: Yes

Study Domain: Health Behaviors; Pandemic Perceptions or Decision-Making; Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT); Social Determinants of Health; Substance Use; Testing Rate or Uptake

Data Collection Method: Antigen Testing Device; Molecular Nucleic Acid or PCR Testing Device; Survey

Keywords: Individual-Level Data

Study Design: Cross-Sectional

Multi-Center Study: No

Data Types: Behavioral; Questionnaire or Survey; Social

Study Start Date: 12/01/2022

Study End Date: 11/30/2024

Species: Human

Estimated Cohort Size: 390

Study Population Focus: Adults; Lower Socioeconomic Status (SES) Populations; Older Adults or Elderly; People Living with HIV/AIDS; Underserved or Vulnerable Populations

Acknowledgement Statement: This study was supported through funding, 3U01DA057849-01S1, for the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) as part of the RADx-UP program. We would like to acknowledge our partnership with HIV Alliance and the participants who gave of their time to make this work possible. Approved users should acknowledge the provision of data access by dbGaP for accession phs003362.v1.p1, and the NIH RADx Data Hub. Approved users should also acknowledge the specific version(s) of the dataset(s) obtained from the NIH RADx Data Hub.

Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number: RFA-OD-22-006

NIH Grant or Contract Number(s): 3U01DA057849-01S1

Consent/Data Use Limitations: General Research Use