What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to assess the effectiveness of the Connect2Test intervention in increasing COVID-19 testing and vaccination rates among people who inject drugs.

March 25, 2026

A Brief Motivational Enhancement Intervention to Promote COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Among People Who Inject Drugs: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Connect2Test

Key Points

This research aims to assess the effectiveness of the Connect2Test intervention in increasing COVID-19 testing and vaccination rates among people who inject drugs.
Conducted a two-arm randomized controlled trial in syringe service programs in Oregon
Randomized participants to receive contingency management only or combined with Connect2Test intervention
Measured outcomes included COVID-19 testing and vaccination rates and associated costs over a 9-month follow-up
Applied multilevel logistic regression for data analysis
Participants who received Connect2Test had 296% greater odds of being vaccinated compared to those receiving only contingency management
No significant differences found in same-day testing or future testing rates between groups
Estimated cost for a vaccination with the Connect2Test intervention was $575

Abstract

Purpose To examine the incremental effectiveness and costs of a motivational enhancement intervention, Connect2Test, embedded in syringe service programs (SSPs) on COVID-19 testing and vaccination uptake among people who inject drugs (PWID). Design Two-arm randomized controlled trial. Setting SSPs in Oregon. Sample PWID (n = 349) receiving services at SSPs. Participants were 18 years or older (M = 43. 9), English-speaking, and mostly male (60%), White (64%), non-Hispanic (87%), and had low-income. Intervention Participants were randomized to contingency management (CM; ie, 10 gift card) only (n = 172) or to CM + Connect2Test (n = 177). Measures COVID-19 testing and vaccination (outcomes) and costs associated to Connect2Test training, staff delivery, materials, and facilities. Analysis: Used multilevel logistic regression to compare rates of COVID-19 testing and vaccination administered on the same day of the intervention and anytime during a 9-month follow-up period. Estimated incremental costs of CM + Connect2Test relative to CM-only using the ingredients method and a societal perspective. Results Relative to CM-only, the CM + Connect2Test group had 296% greater odds of receiving a vaccination during the 9-month follow-up period (3% vs 11%; OR = 3. 96, 95%; CI = 1. 43-10. 94). No group differences were found for same-day vaccination or testing, or future testing. The estimated cost of a vaccine with Connect2Test was 575. Conclusions A brief motivational intervention delivered by SSP staff increased COVID-19 vaccination among PWID.

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Cite This Study

Mauricio et al. (Mon,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69c37acab34aaaeb1a67cb0c https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/08901171261438386

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