Psychosocial experience of the Covid-19 crisis among people who use or inject drugs in Algeria: A community-based qualitative study

Abstract

The COVID-19 crisis had a global impact and many marginalised groups, such as people who use or inject drugs, are more vulnerable to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its consequences due to their pre-existing health inequalities. Moreover, people who use/inject drugs are also criminalised in some countries such as Algeria. This analysis aimed to explore the psychosocial experience of the COVID-19 crisis among people who use/inject drugs in Algeria. Twenty-nine qualitative interviews were conducted in 2021 with a community-based approach. Results of the thematic content analysis showed the intersectional effects of the COVID-19 crisis among people who use or inject drugs through the experience of a double crisis: one related to COVID-19 and the second to their specific difficulties related to drug use. Addressing social inequalities in health of people who use or inject drugs, through better recognition of their rights and needs, is crucial to improving their health.