A new study has highlighted the urgent health concerns faced by people who inject drugs (PWID) in New Zealand, revealing high rates of injecting-related injuries and diseases, compounded by significant barriers to healthcare access, including stigma and discrimination.
The study, led by Stephen Potter and a research team from the University of Otago, surveyed 57 clients from needle exchanges in Christchurch and Dunedin. Over 91% of participants had experienced at least one injecting-related injury, with more than 40% reporting over 10 such injuries during their lifetime. Severe conditions, including abscesses and potentially life-threatening infections such as septicaemia, were reported by nearly half the respondents. Despite the severity, about one-third of those affected had never sought medical attention.
In-depth interviews conducted as part of the research illuminated critical reasons behind healthcare avoidance. Many respondents cited previous negative experiences, shame, embarrassment, and cost as key deterrents from seeking care. One participant expressed a stark sentiment, "I would probably only go to hospital now if I knew I was dying," highlighting the deep-rooted fears and systemic barriers this community faces.
Another troubling finding was the significantly higher prevalence of sepsis among PWID in New Zealand compared to international averages, underscoring possible delays in infection recognition and treatment. This issue is especially concerning given the high prevalence of methamphetamine injection locally, which may contribute to increased health risks.
Peer-support networks emerged as vital sources of information and care, with needle exchange programs playing a critical role in harm reduction. Despite their efforts, these exchanges are under-resourced, often unable to meet the extensive needs of clients experiencing severe health complications.
The authors call for immediate actions, advocating increased resources for needle exchanges, healthcare training to address stigma, and greater integration between harm reduction services and mainstream healthcare. They argue that improving healthcare access and reducing stigma could significantly mitigate the health risks faced by this vulnerable population.
For more information, the full research article is available at: https://nzmj.org.nz/journal/vol-138...w-zealand-impact-healthcare-access-and-stigma
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