‘I can change my life’
Perceptions and experiences of people who use drugs engaging in medically assisted therapy in Kiambu County, Kenya
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21605086 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Doris Burtscher (0000-0003-3035-5884, Médecins Sans Frontières, corresponding author), Winnie Riitho (MSF), Morris Kariuki (MSF), M Prof Kariuki, Angela W Thiong'o, Angela Thiong’o (MSF), Tolbert Ayuaya (MSF), Bernhard Kerschberger (0000-0003-0525-7262, Médecins Sans Frontières), Edi Atte (MSF), Jesse Verschuere (MSF), Livia Tampellini (MSF), Umberto Pellecchia (0000-0003-1224-8698, MSF, Operational Research (LuxOR) Unit), Lucy O’Connell (MSF, Southern Africa Medical Unit (SAMU)), Tom Ellman (0000-0002-8743-8325, MSF, Southern Africa Medical Unit (SAMU)), Barrett Levine (MSF), Janet Ngethe (Ministry of Health), Annick Antierens (MSF) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 33 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 103-112 |
| Publication date | 2026-01-02 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Drugs Education Prevention and Policy (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0968-7637 • E-ISSN: 1465-3370 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/09687637.2024.2416043 |
| OpenAlex | W4404459051 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 37 |
Introduction The Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Kiambu People Who Use Drugs (PWUD) project, which started in September 2019, had enrolled 590 PWUD in its Medically Assisted Therapy (MAT) program by April 2022. This project provides a one-stop-shop model, offering a comprehensive range of medical and psychosocial services. This study aimed to explore how PWUD navigate from heroin use to MAT enrolment.Methods The study involved individual, paired and group interviews conducted between August and October 2022. Purposive sampling was applied. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded with NVivo and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Methodological triangulation enhanced interpretation.Results PWUD faced various challenges to engage in the MAT program. Replacing heroin with MAT, the ‘medicine,’ was insufficient to ensure meaningful recovery. Engaging in MAT required personal motivation to exit the hotspots that their lives revolve around. Main barriers were coping with changed lifestyles and behavioural patterns, and the need to develop new perspectives on dealing with ‘idleness.’Conclusion The study revealed the complex realities PWUD are confronted with when trying to engage in MAT. MAT programs need to address medical, psychosocial, employment and other structural factors while supporting people to restore their broken social conditions
Perception · Global Maternal and Child Health · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Psychology · Gerontology
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| Highly cited | No |
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