An analysis of syringe service programs across the rural-urban continuum in the United States

IF 2.7 3区医学 Q2 HEALTH CARE SCIENCES & SERVICES

Journal of Rural Health Pub Date : 2025-08-04 DOI:10.1111/jrh.70072

Nathan A. Dockery MPH, Qian Huang PhD, MA, MPA, Casey P. Balio PhD

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose

Syringe service programs (SSPs) have been proven to reduce transmission of viral infections, prevent substance use and overdose deaths, and help support public safety in operational areas. This study aims to provide a snapshot of the current distribution of SSPs across the United States and analyze them based on community characteristics.

Methods

SSP information was collected from state health department websites and the North American Syringe Exchange Network (NASEN) dashboard. Bivariate, multivariate, and geospatial analyses were conducted on the study population to observe significant differences between SSP presence and access between urban and rural populations and to see if community characteristics impact the presence of SSPs.

Findings

Findings showed that a greater proportion of urban counties had at least one SSP compared to rural counties (N = 353, 30% vs. N = 236, 12% respectively, p < 0.001). The logistic regression model showed that urban counties had 66% greater odds of having an SSP than their rural counterparts. Geospatial hot-spot analysis showed significant hot spots in the West and Northeast United States, and cold spots throughout the Midwest.

Conclusions

This research provides the most current and comprehensive look at the current count of SSPs in the United States and highlights an increased need in rural areas for SSP presence and access. This study could be used as a benchmark for policymakers and other decision-makers, especially in rural areas, to properly allocate resources for SSP creation and to ensure that policy does not restrict the creation of SSPs or their ability to function properly.

查看原文本刊更多论文

美国农村-城市连续体的注射器服务项目分析

目的：注射器服务计划（ssp）已被证明可以减少病毒感染的传播，防止药物使用和过量死亡，并有助于支持操作区域的公共安全。本研究旨在提供当前美国ssp分布的快照，并基于社区特征对其进行分析。方法从国家卫生部门网站和北美注射器交换网络（NASEN）仪表板上收集SSP信息。对研究人群进行了双变量、多变量和地理空间分析，以观察城市和农村人口之间SSP存在和获取的显著差异，并了解社区特征是否影响SSP的存在。结果发现，城市县至少有一种SSP的比例高于农村县(N = 353,30% vs. N = 236,12%, p <；0.001)。逻辑回归模型显示，城市县拥有SSP的几率比农村县高66%。地理空间热点分析显示，美国西部和东北部地区是显著的热点地区，而中西部地区则是显著的冷区。本研究提供了当前美国SSP数量的最新和最全面的情况，并强调了农村地区对SSP存在和获取的需求日益增加。这项研究可以作为政策制定者和其他决策者的基准，特别是在农村地区，以适当地分配资源用于创建可持续发展计划，并确保政策不限制可持续发展计划的创建或其正常运作的能力。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Rural Health 医学-公共卫生、环境卫生与职业卫生

CiteScore

7.60

自引率

6.10%

发文量

审稿时长

>12 weeks

期刊介绍： The Journal of Rural Health, a quarterly journal published by the NRHA, offers a variety of original research relevant and important to rural health. Some examples include evaluations, case studies, and analyses related to health status and behavior, as well as to health work force, policy and access issues. Quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods studies are welcome. Highest priority is given to manuscripts that reflect scholarly quality, demonstrate methodological rigor, and emphasize practical implications. The journal also publishes articles with an international rural health perspective, commentaries, book reviews and letters.