Centering equity through in-person data collection: short report

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Social Sciences

Background:

• COVID-19 pandemic shifted data collection to tele-remote methods.
• This shift excluded individuals lacking technology access or digital literacy.
• Vulnerable populations, including people who use opioids, were disproportionately affected.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and necessity of in-person data collection for people who use opioids during the pandemic.
• To highlight the challenges faced by this population in participating in remote research.
• To advocate for equitable data collection practices in public health.

Main Methods:

• Conducted in-person surveys with people who use opioids in New York City between June and September 2020.
• Recruited participants through street intercepts and at syringe service programs.
• Implemented safety measures including masks and physical distancing for outdoor surveys.

Main Results:

• 329 individuals participated, with an average age of 45.8 years.
• A significant portion experienced housing instability (65.9%) and lacked regular smartphone access (51.1%).
• Demographic data included 69.6% male, 32.6% Hispanic/Latino/a, and 22.3% Black participants.

Conclusions:

• Many participants struggled with basic needs and lacked resources for tele-remote research.
• In-person engagement can build trust and overcome technology/comprehension barriers.
• Centering equity requires including under-engaged groups in data collection for informed policies and programs.