ArticleHarm reduction journal2020
Harm reduction via online platforms for people who use drugs in Russia: a qualitative analysis of web outreach work.
Article in Harm reduction journal, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 22 papers.
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Who cites it
22 citing papers in PubMed.
- The quality and scope of health information on online drug platforms: a topic modelling and expert evaluation study of a Polish-language forum.Harm reduction journal · 2026Article
- Low Risk Perception of Harm From Substance Use and Sexual Behaviors Among Online Help-Seeking Sexual and Gender Minoritized People in San Francisco, California: Cross-Sectional Survey.JMIR formative research · 2025Article
- Two Drug Epidemics in St. Petersburg, Russia? Substance Use, Risk Behaviors, and HIV and HCV Prevalence Among Young and Older People Who Inject Drugs Attending a Harm Reduction Facility.AIDS and behavior · 2025Article
- Exploration of novel harm reduction approaches to increase client engagement (ENHANCE): protocol for a prospective cohort study.Harm reduction journal · 2025Article
- The impact of Covid-19 on harm reduction policies in Iran: an interrupted time series analysis.Harm reduction journal · 2025Article
- Internet Fraud among Patients Admitted for Psychoactive Substance Use Disorders in Selected Hospitals of Southwestern Nigeria: Prevalence, Predictors, and Implications.Addiction & health · 2025Article
- Relational anonymity in reducing the harms of illicit drug use: accounts of users of dark web- and street-based services in Finland.Harm reduction journal · 2024Article
- Problematizing content moderation by social media platforms and its impact on digital harm reduction.Harm reduction journal · 2024Review
- Feasibility, acceptability, and perceived usefulness of a community-evidence-based harm reduction intervention for sexualized stimulant use among Mexican gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.Harm reduction journal · 2024Article
- Stigma and other correlates of sharing injection equipment among people with HIV in St. Petersburg, Russia.Global public health · 2024Article
- Implementing harm reduction kits in an office-based addiction treatment program.Harm reduction journal · 2023Article
- Online interventions and virtual day centres for young people who use drugs: potential for harm reduction?Harm reduction journal · 2023Article
- The urgent need for opioid agonist treatment in Russia.The lancet. HIV · 2023Article
- A qualitative study of professionals' perspectives on the ethics of medically-delivered safer injection education for people who inject drugs.BMC medical ethics · 2023Article
- Food Insecurity and Transmission Risks Among People with HIV Who Use Substances.AIDS and behavior · 2023Article
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention among people who inject drugs: a global mapping of service delivery.Harm reduction journal · 2023Review
- Multi-level influences on increased overdose risk behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic among people who use drugs in Rhode Island: a qualitative investigation.Harm reduction journal · 2023Article
- Changes in Alcohol Consumption among Users of an Internet Drug Forum during a COVID-19 Lockdown.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Article
- Impact of COVID-19 among people who use drugs: A qualitative study with harm reduction workers and people who use drugs.Harm reduction journal · 2022Article
- HIV Care Continuum Services for People Who Inject Drugs in Kazakhstan During COVID-19: A Qualitative Study of Service Provider Perspectives.Global health, science and practice · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
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4 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundHarm reduction services to people who use drugs (PWUD) in Russia are insufficient in terms of quantity, government endorsement, and accessibility. The situation has recently deteriorated even further because of social distancing measures of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several organizations have started to provide some harm reduction services via online platforms by web outreach. However, little is known on how online outreach services are organized and implemented. Drawing on the example of St. Petersburg-based NGO "Humanitarian Action," we explored web outreach work in Telegram instant messenger.
methodsOur data were comprised of 4 semi-structured interviews with the NGO staff and 301 cases of web outreach work with PWUD. We used thematic analysis to study the process of web outreach, harm reduction service provision, and needs of PWUD.
resultsThree stages of the process of web outreach work were identified: clients initiating communication, NGO workers addressing clients' needs, and NGO workers receiving clients' feedback. Communication proceeded in group chat or direct messages. Challenges in addressing clients' needs happened when clients turned for help after hours, sent recorded voice messages, sent unclear messages, and/or were unwilling to transition to telephone communication. All web outreach workers reported receiving only positive feedback on their work. The needs of PWUD were categorized into two major themes, depending on whether they can be addressed fully or partially online. In cases of online only provision of services, web outreach workers helped PWUD treat minor injection drug use complications, obtain verified harm reduction information and receive general psychological support. In instances of partial online services provision, PWUD were assisted in getting treatment of severe injection drug use complications, overdoses, and in accessing offline medical, psychological, social, legal and harm reduction services.
conclusionsOur research demonstrated that web outreach work is a convenient tool for delivering some harm reduction services to PWUD either partially or completely online and for recruiting new clients (including hard-to-reach PWUD that avoid attending brick-and-mortar facilities). Harm reduction organizations should consider incorporating online harm reduction services into their activities. However, further research is needed to explore relative advantages and disadvantages of online harm reduction services.
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