INJECTING BEHAVIOR AND RISKY NEEDLE USE AMONGST METHADONE-MAINTENANCECLIENTS

Citation
Jm. White et al., INJECTING BEHAVIOR AND RISKY NEEDLE USE AMONGST METHADONE-MAINTENANCECLIENTS, Drug and alcohol dependence, 34(2), 1994, pp. 113-119
Citations number
35
Categorie Soggetti
Substance Abuse",Psychiatry
Journal title
ISSN journal
03768716
Volume
34
Issue
2
Year of publication
1994
Pages
113 - 119
Database
ISI
SICI code
0376-8716(1994)34:2<113:IBARNU>2.0.ZU;2-Z
Abstract
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.