A Spatial Analysis of Hotspots and Targeted Injection Settings Pilot Intervention for HIV Prevention Among People Who Inject Drugs

Conduct a qualitative rapid longitudinal assessment of 20 PWUD's perceptions of and access to COVID-19 vaccines as well as reasons for vaccine hesitancy/barriers. The investigators will also assess frequency and content of COVID-19 communication with peers. The investigators will also assess changes in the social network dynamics of drug use and access to illicit drugs, drug treatment, and HIV care. The brief qualitative interviews will be conducted biweekly over a period of one year. These interviews will be quickly transcribed, summarized, and provided to local and state health departments. The investigators will also use the findings from this aim to inform the proposed app and peer education pilot outlined in aims 2 & 3.

• Development of an app provide real-time information on COVID-19 vaccine availability and nearby risk reduction resources (naloxone distribution sites, syringe exchanges, drug treatment). The app will be built for mobile download and as an online webpage. 20 PWUD will be included in this study component, split between the mobile and web-based app.

• Develop training materials and pilot the training of 40 PWUD to promote vaccine uptake among the participants network and other community members. PWUD will be trained to become peer educators to promote COVID-19 vaccine uptake over 4 sessions. These 40 participants will be administered pre- and post-surveys as well as daily check-in questions through the app to assess effectiveness as peer educators.

Inclusion criteria

• opioid use in prior 2 weeks

Exclusion criteria

• none