HIV RISK-TAKING BEHAVIOR AMONG INJECTING DRUG-USERS CURRENTLY, PREVIOUSLY AND NEVER ENROLLED IN METHADONE TREATMENT

This study compares the injecting and sexual risk-taking behaviour amo ng injecting drug users (IDUs) currently, previously and never enrolle d in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). All subjects had injected during the 6 months prior to the day of interview. The current MMT gro up showed significantly lower injecting risk-taking behaviour subscale scores on the HIV Risk-taking Behaviour Scale (HRBS) of the Opiate Tr eatment Index than the previous MMT and non-MMT groups together. The c urrent MMT group differed from the other two groups in the frequency o f injecting and cleaning of injection equipment with bleach. There was no difference between the current MMT group and the other two groups combined in sexual risk-taking behaviour scores on the HRBS. There wer e no differences between the previous MMT and non-MMT groups in inject ing and sexual risk-taking behaviour. HIV seroprevalence was low and t here was no difference in seroprevalence between groups. Thus, IDUs cu rrently enrolled in MMT are at reduced risk for HIV infection when com pared with IDUs who have previously or never been enrolled in MMT. How ever, the absence of a difference between the current MMT and other tw o groups in frequency of sharing behaviours suggests the need for addi tional strategies among MMT clients to reduce needle-sharing. Possible strategies include the application of relapse prevention intervention s and the availability of sterile injecting equipment in MMT clinics. Further research is needed to identify factors which increase attracti on and retention of IDUs to MMT.