Maxim Kan1, Julia A Gall2, Alisher Latypov3, Robert Gray4, Marat Bakpayev5, Djamila Alisheva6, Khursheda Rakhmatova7, Aigul S Sadieva8. 1. Population Services International, Central Asian Republics, Almaty, Kazakhstan. Electronic address: Maxim.Kan@PSI.kz. 2. Population Services International, Central Asian Republics, Almaty, Kazakhstan. Electronic address: Julia.Gall@PSI.kz. 3. The Central Asia Program, The Elliott School of International Affairs, The Institute for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA; Global Health Research Center of Central Asia, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA. Electronic address: alisher_latypov@fulbrightmail.org. 4. Population Services International, Laos Office, Vientiane, Laos. Electronic address: robgray@psilaos.org. 5. Population Services International, Central Asian Republics, Almaty, Kazakhstan. 6. Population Services International, Kyrgyzstan Office, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Electronic address: alisheva@psi.kg. 7. Population Services International, Tajikistan Office, Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Electronic address: khursheda@psi.tajnet.tj. 8. Osh Interregional Narcological Center, Osh, Kyrgyzstan. Electronic address: s_aigul08@mail.ru.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Opioid overdose (OD) is a major cause of mortality among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Central Asia, and distribution of naloxone, an opioid antagonist, can effectively prevent these deaths. However, little is known about the use and wastage of distributed naloxone ampoules. Having reliable data on wastage rates is critical for accurately calculating the health impact of naloxone distribution projects targeting PWID. METHODS: In 2011, Population Services International (PSI) launched two pilot naloxone distribution programs in Kyrgyzstan (pharmacy-based approach) and Tajikistan (community-based approach). PWID were trained on OD prevention and naloxone use. Upon returning for more ampoules, the PWID completed a brief survey on their OD experience and naloxone use. 158 respondents in Kyrgyzstan and 59 in Tajikistan completed the questionnaire. Usage and wastage rates were calculated based on responses. A four-year model wastage rate that takes into account the shelf life of naloxone for both countries was then calculated. RESULTS: 51.3% of respondents in Kyrgyzstan and 91.5% in Tajikistan reported having ever experienced an OD. 82.9% of respondents in Kyrgyzstan and all respondents in Tajikistan had ever witnessed an OD. Out of these PWID who experienced or witnessed OD, 81.5% in Kyrgyzstan and 59.3% in Tajikistan reported having been injected with naloxone, and 83.2% in Kyrgyzstan and 50.9% in Tajikistan reported injecting another individual with naloxone. Of ampoules received, 46.5% in Kyrgyzstan and 78.1% in Tajikistan were used. In both countries, 3.1% of these ampoules were wasted. The four-year model wastage rates for Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan were found to be 13.8% and 3.9% respectively. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that a high proportion of naloxone distributed to PWID is used in actual OD incidents, with low wastage rates in both countries. Expanding these distribution models can potentially create more positive health outcomes for PWID in Central Asia.
BACKGROUND: Opioid overdose (OD) is a major cause of mortality among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Central Asia, and distribution of naloxone, an opioid antagonist, can effectively prevent these deaths. However, little is known about the use and wastage of distributed naloxone ampoules. Having reliable data on wastage rates is critical for accurately calculating the health impact of naloxone distribution projects targeting PWID. METHODS: In 2011, Population Services International (PSI) launched two pilot naloxone distribution programs in Kyrgyzstan (pharmacy-based approach) and Tajikistan (community-based approach). PWID were trained on OD prevention and naloxone use. Upon returning for more ampoules, the PWID completed a brief survey on their OD experience and naloxone use. 158 respondents in Kyrgyzstan and 59 in Tajikistan completed the questionnaire. Usage and wastage rates were calculated based on responses. A four-year model wastage rate that takes into account the shelf life of naloxone for both countries was then calculated. RESULTS: 51.3% of respondents in Kyrgyzstan and 91.5% in Tajikistan reported having ever experienced an OD. 82.9% of respondents in Kyrgyzstan and all respondents in Tajikistan had ever witnessed an OD. Out of these PWID who experienced or witnessed OD, 81.5% in Kyrgyzstan and 59.3% in Tajikistan reported having been injected with naloxone, and 83.2% in Kyrgyzstan and 50.9% in Tajikistan reported injecting another individual with naloxone. Of ampoules received, 46.5% in Kyrgyzstan and 78.1% in Tajikistan were used. In both countries, 3.1% of these ampoules were wasted. The four-year model wastage rates for Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan were found to be 13.8% and 3.9% respectively. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that a high proportion of naloxone distributed to PWID is used in actual OD incidents, with low wastage rates in both countries. Expanding these distribution models can potentially create more positive health outcomes for PWID in Central Asia.
Authors: N A Blackburn; K E Lancaster; T V Ha; C A Latkin; W C Miller; C Frangakis; V A Chu; T Sripaipan; V M Quan; N L Minh; P T Vu; V F Go Journal: Harm Reduct J Date: 2017-09-07