INJECTING BEHAVIOR AND RISKY NEEDLE USE AMONGST METHADONE-MAINTENANCECLIENTS

The injecting behaviour and risky needle use of a sample of 193 methad one maintenance clients was investigated. The majority of the sample ( n = 116) reported injecting one or more drugs in the month prior to da ta collection. Compared with non-injectors, the injectors were slightl y younger, had been on the methadone program for a shorter period of t ime, had lower methadone doses and more severe drug and legal problems . The injecting sub-group was examined in more detail by comparing tho se subjects whose injecting practices conformed to guidelines on minim izing risk of HIV transmission with those who, in the preceding month, made at least one injection contravening these guidelines and thus pl aced themselves at risk of contracting HIV. A greater proportion of th ese risky injectors were unemployed. Importantly, risky injectors had lesser knowledge of means of preventing the spread of HIV than safe in jectors. It is concluded that the reduction of HIV transmission could be enhanced by improvements in methadone programs, particularly ensuri ng adequate dosing and high retention rates. Further, there is a need to improve knowledge with regard to what are safe and what are risky i njecting practices and needle/syringe cleaning methods.