PLoS ONE (Jan 2019)

More than just availability: Who has access and who administers take-home naloxone in Baltimore, MD.

  • Lauren Dayton,
  • Rachel E Gicquelais,
  • Karin Tobin,
  • Melissa Davey-Rothwell,
  • Oluwaseun Falade-Nwulia,
  • Xiangrong Kong,
  • Michael Fingerhood,
  • Abenaa A Jones,
  • Carl Latkin

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0224686
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 11
p. e0224686

Abstract

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BackgroundFatal opioid overdose is a pressing public health concern in the United States. Addressing barriers and augmenting facilitators to take-home naloxone (THN) access and administration could expand program reach in preventing fatal overdoses.MethodsTHN access (i.e., being prescribed or receiving THN) was assessed in a Baltimore, Maryland-based sample of 577 people who use opioids (PWUO) and had a history of injecting drugs. A sub-analysis examined correlates of THN administration among those with THN access and who witnessed an overdose (N = 345). Logistic generalized estimating equations with robust standard errors were used to identify facilitators and barriers to accessing and using THN.ResultsThe majority of PWUO (66%) reported THN access. In the multivariable model, decreased THN access was associated with the fear that a person may become aggressive after being revived with THN (aOR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.35-0.85), police threaten people at an overdose event (aOR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.36-1.00), and insufficient overdose training (aOR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.28-0.68). Enrollment in medication-assisted treatment, personally experiencing an overdose, and graduating from high school were associated with higher access. About half (49%) of PWUO with THN access and who had witnessed an overdose reported having administered THN. THN use was positively associated with "often" or "always" carrying THN (aOR: 3.47, 95% CI: 1.99-6.06), witnessing more overdoses (aOR:5.18, 95% CI: 2.22-12.07), experiencing recent homelessness, and injecting in the past year. THN use was reduced among participants who did not feel that they had sufficient overdose training (aOR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.32-0.96).ConclusionTHN programs must bolster confidence in administering THN and address barriers to use, such as fear of a THN recipient becoming aggressive. Normative change around carrying THN is an important component in an overdose prevention strategy.