 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Francis A. Wolf, BA1, Michelle McKenzie, MPH1, Stephanie L Sanford-Colby, MPH2, Rachel S. Weston, BA2, Grace E Macalino, PhD2, and Josiah D. Rich, MD, MPH3. (1) Department of Immunology, The Miriam Hospital, 164 Summit Avenue - CFAR Bldg., Providence, RI 02906, (2) Brown University, 169 Angell St., Box GS-2, Providence, RI 02912, (3) Department of Immunology, The Miriam Hospital /Brown University, 164 Summit Avenue, Providence, RI 02906
Background: Access to sterile syringes is critical for HIV and hepatitis prevention among IDUs, however increasing access often creates concern about publicly discarded syringes. We evaluated the acceptability and utility of the Voyager, a hand-held syringe disposal device, as a disposal method for active IDUs.
Methods: Beginning in March 2001, the Voyager was offered to participants of the syringe prescription study in Providence, RI. Those who agreed to participate in this sub-study (n=87) were surveyed to determine baseline disposal methods and were followed-up one month later with a survey focusing on the Voyager’s utility and acceptability.
Results: Of those eligible to receive the Voyager (n=97), 90% accepted the device and 41 (47%) were available for follow-up. This group was demographically similar to those we did not reach for follow-up. Thirty-two (78%) reported using the Voyager, and 18 (44%) reported using it all the time. Major advantages cited were the Voyager’s ease of use, its ability to hold a large number of tips, its safe design, and its ability to fit discreetly in a pocket or purse. Twenty-four (58%) reported they definitely would like to continue using the Voyager and half rated the device as much better than other methods of syringe disposal.
Conclusions: This is the first study to evaluate the Voyager as a syringe disposal method. Results indicate that the Voyager is a useful, inexpensive, and promising option for addressing the problem of syringe disposal. Future research is needed to evaluate both longer-term and larger-scale distribution of the Voyager.
Learning Objectives:
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.