 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Susan F McNamara, MSCJ1, Grace E Macalino, PhD1, Stephanie L Sanford-Colby, MPH1, Chaney Becker1, Portia Thurmond1, and Sally Zierler, DrPh2. (1) Brown University, 169 Angell St., Box GS-2, Providence, RI 02912, 401-863-9850, Susan_McNamara@brown.edu, (2) Dept. of Community Health, Brown University Schools of Medicine, Box G-A4, Providence, RI 02912
Background We are interested in evaluating racial/ethnic disparities with the implementation of a recent syringe deregulation law change in Rhode Island. We developed a purchaser trial methodology to collect field data regarding the actual sales of syringes in retail locations by the three main racially ‘visual’ groups in RI—white, black and Hispanic.
Methods Three Rhode Island cities were chosen based on Census 2000 demographic data and selected primarily because of their population of black (Providence), Hispanic (Central Falls) and white (Pawtucket) residents. Pharmacies in these cities will be visited by each of the gender/racial purchaser types (n=6). Hired by one person, purchasers were hired based on gender and visual racial characteristics, and were blinded to the racial component of the study. Training modules were developed to for both purchasers and drivers.
Results Two men and women of each race—black, white, and Hispanic, were hired. Mandatory training addressed HIV and HCV, the law change, confidentiality, role playing, difficult situations, and safety. Drivers received a mandatory training on reviewing the purchase attempt protocol, safety, and quality control. To date, we have collected multiple data points from pharmacies and obtained minimum number of syringes sold, cost, and basic pharmacy related data.
Conclusions Despite many challenges, this methodology is both feasible and acceptable by both the IRB and purchasers. Purchasers quickly become comfortable, and data can be collected in a standardized fashion. Substantial time and effort needs to be given to scheduling, possible inclement weather, security concerns, and law enforcement involvem
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Syringe Sources, Ethnicity
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.