Margaret Lowenstein1,2,3, Rachel Feuerstein-Simon4, Roxanne Dupuis4,5, Allison Herens6, Jeffrey Hom3,6, Meghana Sharma4, Risha Sheni4, Lonard Encarnacion4, Carina Flaherty4, Maria Cueller7, Carolyn Cannuscio8. 1. National Clinician Scholars Program, 14640University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 2. Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 3. Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, 6572University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 4. Center for Public Health Initiatives, 14640University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 5. Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, 1812Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA. 6. 6542Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 7. Department of Criminology, 6572University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 8. Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, 14640University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate an overdose response training program in public libraries. DESIGN: Mixed methods evaluation including pre- and post-intervention questionnaires and debriefing interviews. SETTING: Ten Philadelphia public libraries. SAMPLE: Overdose response training participants (library staff and community members). INTERVENTION: Public, hour-long overdose response trainings run by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, the Free Library of Philadelphia, and the University of Pennsylvania between March and December 2018. MEASURES: Questionnaires assessed motivation for attending trainings, overdose response readiness, and intention to acquire and carry naloxone. Debriefing interviews elicited training feedback. ANALYSIS: We assessed changes in overdose response readiness and intention to carry naloxone and performed thematic analysis on interview data. RESULTS: At 29 trainings, 254 people attended, of whom 203 (80%) completed questionnaires and 23 were interviewed. 30% of participants had witnessed an overdose, but only 3% carried naloxone at baseline. Following training, overdose response readiness and intention to acquire/carry naloxone improved significantly (P < .01). Interviewees nonetheless noted that they experienced barriers to naloxone acquisition, including cost, stigma, and concern regarding future insurability. Trainings subsequently included naloxone distribution. Interviewees reported that public libraries were welcoming, nonstigmatizing venues. CONCLUSION: In Philadelphia, library-based overdose response trainings were well-attended and reached a population with prior overdose encounters. Similar trainings could be deployed as a scalable overdose prevention strategy in the nation's 16 568 public libraries.
PURPOSE: To evaluate an overdose response training program in public libraries. DESIGN: Mixed methods evaluation including pre- and post-intervention questionnaires and debriefing interviews. SETTING: Ten Philadelphia public libraries. SAMPLE: Overdose response training participants (library staff and community members). INTERVENTION: Public, hour-long overdose response trainings run by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, the Free Library of Philadelphia, and the University of Pennsylvania between March and December 2018. MEASURES: Questionnaires assessed motivation for attending trainings, overdose response readiness, and intention to acquire and carry naloxone. Debriefing interviews elicited training feedback. ANALYSIS: We assessed changes in overdose response readiness and intention to carry naloxone and performed thematic analysis on interview data. RESULTS: At 29 trainings, 254 people attended, of whom 203 (80%) completed questionnaires and 23 were interviewed. 30% of participants had witnessed an overdose, but only 3% carried naloxone at baseline. Following training, overdose response readiness and intention to acquire/carry naloxone improved significantly (P < .01). Interviewees nonetheless noted that they experienced barriers to naloxone acquisition, including cost, stigma, and concern regarding future insurability. Trainings subsequently included naloxone distribution. Interviewees reported that public libraries were welcoming, nonstigmatizing venues. CONCLUSION: In Philadelphia, library-based overdose response trainings were well-attended and reached a population with prior overdose encounters. Similar trainings could be deployed as a scalable overdose prevention strategy in the nation's 16 568 public libraries.
Entities:
Keywords:
interventions; naloxone; opioid; overdose; population health; public health; public libraries; substance abuse
Authors: Rachel Feuerstein-Simon; Margaret Lowenstein; Roxanne Dupuis; Abby Dolan; Xochitl Luna Marti; Alexandra Harvey; Heba Ali; Zachary F Meisel; David T Grande; Noah Lenstra; Carolyn C Cannuscio Journal: J Community Health Date: 2022-01-12