Harm reduction in substance use: perspectives and experiences of community volunteers and student interns in Durban, South Africa
Abstract Background Substance abuse is a significant public health concern globally, exposing individuals to substantial health risks and mortality. Despite the effectiveness of harm reduction interventions, they remain limited and inadequately accessible in South Africa, where substance use prevale...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Harm Reduction Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-025-01253-5 |
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| author | Nkeka Peter Tseole Julian David Pillay |
| author_facet | Nkeka Peter Tseole Julian David Pillay |
| author_sort | Nkeka Peter Tseole |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Substance abuse is a significant public health concern globally, exposing individuals to substantial health risks and mortality. Despite the effectiveness of harm reduction interventions, they remain limited and inadequately accessible in South Africa, where substance use prevalence is increasing. This study explores the perspectives of community volunteers and student interns on harm reduction and its interventions using Bellhaven Harm Reduction Centre as a case study. Methods This qualitative study employed a cross-sectional design, utilising thematic analysis to examine the views of 15 participants on harm reduction programs and their experiences within the harm reduction centre context. Results The findings indicate that harm reduction interventions have a positive impact on all stakeholders, fostering transformative attitudes toward substance use and promoting empathy and understanding. Our findings highlight four major themes: the client-focused nature of harm reduction interventions, their ability to reduce stigma and discrimination against marginalised populations, their capacity-building nature, and ability to reduce substance abuse-related harm. Conclusion This study highlights the value of harm reduction programs in addressing substance use challenges, emphasizing client-centered care, capacity building, and stigma reduction. The findings provide a valuable model for resource-constrained environments, informing policy and practice to improve health outcomes among vulnerable populations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-06c061244c424b188a1e23b3ffd86c49 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1477-7517 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Harm Reduction Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-06c061244c424b188a1e23b3ffd86c492025-08-20T01:59:57ZengBMCHarm Reduction Journal1477-75172025-05-0122111110.1186/s12954-025-01253-5Harm reduction in substance use: perspectives and experiences of community volunteers and student interns in Durban, South AfricaNkeka Peter Tseole0Julian David Pillay1Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of TechnologyFaculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of TechnologyAbstract Background Substance abuse is a significant public health concern globally, exposing individuals to substantial health risks and mortality. Despite the effectiveness of harm reduction interventions, they remain limited and inadequately accessible in South Africa, where substance use prevalence is increasing. This study explores the perspectives of community volunteers and student interns on harm reduction and its interventions using Bellhaven Harm Reduction Centre as a case study. Methods This qualitative study employed a cross-sectional design, utilising thematic analysis to examine the views of 15 participants on harm reduction programs and their experiences within the harm reduction centre context. Results The findings indicate that harm reduction interventions have a positive impact on all stakeholders, fostering transformative attitudes toward substance use and promoting empathy and understanding. Our findings highlight four major themes: the client-focused nature of harm reduction interventions, their ability to reduce stigma and discrimination against marginalised populations, their capacity-building nature, and ability to reduce substance abuse-related harm. Conclusion This study highlights the value of harm reduction programs in addressing substance use challenges, emphasizing client-centered care, capacity building, and stigma reduction. The findings provide a valuable model for resource-constrained environments, informing policy and practice to improve health outcomes among vulnerable populations.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-025-01253-5Harm reductionSubstance useClient-centered careStigma reductionCommunity engagementSouth Africa |
| spellingShingle | Nkeka Peter Tseole Julian David Pillay Harm reduction in substance use: perspectives and experiences of community volunteers and student interns in Durban, South Africa Harm Reduction Journal Harm reduction Substance use Client-centered care Stigma reduction Community engagement South Africa |
| title | Harm reduction in substance use: perspectives and experiences of community volunteers and student interns in Durban, South Africa |
| title_full | Harm reduction in substance use: perspectives and experiences of community volunteers and student interns in Durban, South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Harm reduction in substance use: perspectives and experiences of community volunteers and student interns in Durban, South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Harm reduction in substance use: perspectives and experiences of community volunteers and student interns in Durban, South Africa |
| title_short | Harm reduction in substance use: perspectives and experiences of community volunteers and student interns in Durban, South Africa |
| title_sort | harm reduction in substance use perspectives and experiences of community volunteers and student interns in durban south africa |
| topic | Harm reduction Substance use Client-centered care Stigma reduction Community engagement South Africa |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-025-01253-5 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nkekapetertseole harmreductioninsubstanceuseperspectivesandexperiencesofcommunityvolunteersandstudentinternsindurbansouthafrica AT juliandavidpillay harmreductioninsubstanceuseperspectivesandexperiencesofcommunityvolunteersandstudentinternsindurbansouthafrica |