Providing medications for opioid use disorder to people with HIV recently released from incarceration in South Africa

A new study in the peer-reviewed Journal of Correctional Health Care describes a pilot program designed to provide harm reduction and medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) services among people recently released from incarceration and living with HIV and illicit opioid use. Click here to read the article now.

Christopher Hoffmann, from Johns Hopkins University, and coauthors, conducted the study aimed at describing MOUD uptake and barriers among people living with HIV and using illicit opioid reentering the community from incarceration. The study was conducted in South Africa, during which the investigators followed 23 participants postrelease. They observed low uptake of MOUD after release (35%). “Reported barriers to MOUD included perceived ineffectiveness, a preference for residential withdrawal management, and delays in initiating MOUD.”

“We believe that integrating MOUD programs into the correctional system and community health services would facilitate smoother transitions and lead to greater success with reentry into the community and long-term health,” stated the investigators.

“The syndemic impacts of incarceration, HIV and opioid use disorder are felt worldwide. The authors of this study are paving the way for development of impactful interventions that will save lives,” says Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Correctional Health Care Alysse Wurcel, MD, MS, from Boston Medical Center.

About the Journal
The Journal of Correctional Health Care is the only national, peer-reviewed scientific journal to focus the latest research and developments in clinical care for chronic and infectious disease, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, health services management, quality improvement, medical records, medical-legal issues, discharge planning, staffing, cost analysis and other topics as they relate to correctional health care. Complete tables of contents and a sample issue may be viewed on the journal website.

About the Publisher
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. is a global media company dedicated to creating, curating, and delivering impactful peer-reviewed research and authoritative content services to advance the fields of biotechnology and the life sciences, specialized clinical medicine, and public health and policy. For complete information, please visit the Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. website.