International Journal of Health Policy and Management

International Journal of Health Policy and Management

Examining the Potential Role of a Supervised Injection Facility in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to Avert HIV among People Who Inject Drugs

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Ehsan Jozaghi
Asheka Jackson
School of Criminology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
10.15171/ijhpm.2015.73
Abstract
Background
Research predicting the public health and fiscal impact of Supervised Injection Facilities (SIFs), across different cities in Canada, has reported positive results on the reduction of HIV cases among People Who Inject Drugs (PWID). Most of the existing studies have focused on the outcomes of Insite, located in the Vancouver Downtown Eastside (DTES). Previous attention has not been afforded to other affected areas of Canada. The current study seeks to address this deficiency by assessing the cost-effectiveness of opening a SIF in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
 
Methods
We used two different mathematical models commonly used in the literature, including sensitivity analyses, to estimate the number of HIV infections averted due to the establishment of a SIF in the city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
 
Results
Based on cumulative cost-effectiveness results, SIF establishment is cost-effective. The benefit to cost ratio was conservatively estimated to be 1.35 for the first two potential facilities. The study relied on 34% and 14% needle sharing rates for sensitivity analyses. The result for both sensitivity analyses and the base line estimates indicated positive prospects for the establishment of a SIF in Saskatoon.
 
Conclusion
The opening of a SIF in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan is financially prudent in the reduction of tax payers’ expenses and averting HIV infection rates among PWID.
Keywords
People Who Inject Drugs (PWID)
HIV
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Canada
Subjects
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  • Received Date 17 November 2014
  • Revised Date 24 March 2015
  • Accepted Date 25 March 2015
  • First Published Date 01 June 2015
  • Published Date 01 June 2015