NCT07122219

Enhancing Uptake of Needle and Syringe Programs in Canadian Federal Prisons

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 548 (estimated)
• Sponsor: McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study is focused on improving the implementation of Prison Needle Exchange Programs (PNEPs) in Canadian federal prisons, with the goal of increasing the uptake of these programs among people who inject drugs in prison. The study is being conducted in nine federal prisons, including five women's prisons, where a higher proportion of incarcerated individuals report a history of injection drug use. This study aims to improve PNEP adoption and sustainability by identifying barriers and facilitators and implementing evidence-based strategies to enhance program engagement.

Detailed description

Using a step-wedge design, we will conduct a Type 2 hybrid implementation trial to assess the extent to which PNEP uptake is improved over 24 months of observation using the Network for the Improvement of Addiction Treatment (NIATx) implementation strategy bundle. Nine prisons were non-randomly\* allocated to one of three groups, with the groups receiving the intervention (i.e., NIATx) over 24 months at staggered time intervals (every 6 months). This will be followed by an additional 12 month post-intervention period, when sustainability will be assessed. \*Originally randomized; allocation was modified due to logistical constraints

Conditions

• HIV
• Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	NIATx	The Network for the Improvement of Addiction Treatment (NIATx) model uses a bundle of implementation tools that include expert facilitation (coaching) and quality process improvement specifically for behavioural healthcare settings to improve access and retention in treatment.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-10-01
• Primary completion: 2028-02-29
• Completion: 2029-09-30
• First posted: 2025-08-14
• Last updated: 2025-12-29

Locations

9 sites across 1 country: Canada