Overdoselifesavers.org: a mixed-method evaluation of a public information website on experiences of overdose and using take-home naloxone to save lives

Abstract

Aims

Overdoselifesavers.org was created as part of a larger Australian research project investigating impediments to take-home naloxone uptake. The aim of the project was to create a resource to enhance public and professional understandings of take-home naloxone and to counter stigmatising misconceptions about overdose. This article presents the findings of a mixed-method evaluation of Overdoselifesavers.org that assesses its success in achieving these goals.

Methods

Following an established approach, three data sources were analysed: (1) the reach of the website (website analytics); (2) website audience response (evaluation survey); and (3) other indicators of use and impact (including social media referrals and organisational links).

Findings

In the 10-week evaluation period, Overdoselifesavers.org had 1769 unique visitors. Responses to the survey praised the website as a means of challenging stereotypes and supporting take-home naloxone uptake. Twenty-two organisations had linked to the website and 324 social media referrals were recorded.

Conclusions

These data indicate that Overdoselifesavers.org has begun connecting with audiences and enhancing knowledge about and support for take-home naloxone. Continually building engagement and use of the website outside the alcohol and other drug sector warrants ongoing attention. Further research on developing suitable evaluation methods for novel initiatives such as research-based public websites is needed.

Keywords:

• Overdose
• naloxone
• take-home naloxone
• website
• evaluation
• stigma

Acknowledgements

We express our thanks to the participants who gave so generously of their time, insights, and experiences. We also thank the expert advisory panel guiding aspects of the research. The research project was conducted at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University and the National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University. The interviews were conducted by Adrian Farrugia, Renae Fomiatti and Jeanne Ellard. Thanks go also to the anonymous reviewers and journal editorial team whose comments helped improve the article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 For more details on Australia’s national take-home naloxone pilot: https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/take-home-naloxone-pilot (accessed Tuesday 21 May 2020).

2 This evaluation reproduced the methods used to evaluate Livesofsubstance.org. For more details on these methods, their challenges and how they relate to other website evaluations see, Treloar et al. (2019);.

3 Resources and Information offers contact information for organisations relevant to opioid overdose and take-home naloxone. Signs of Overdose and How to Respond offers information on how to identify and respond to opioid overdose. Team and Thanks lists the research team and acknowledges the expert advisory panel, funders and other organisations and individuals who contributed to the research. Personal Stories contains participant accounts of overdose and naloxone use.

4 For context, the evaluation of Livesofsubstance.org (the most readily comparable website) recorded a mean session duration of 3.45 minutes (Treloar et al., 2019).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by an Australian Research Council Discovery Project grant [DP170101669]. The National Drug Research Institute is supported by funding from the Australian Government under the Substance Misuse Prevention and Service Improvement Grants Fund.