FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CLIENT-REPORTED HIV-INFECTION AMONG CLIENTS ENTERING METHADONE TREATMENT

To determine demographic and behavioral factors associated with client -reported HIV infection among new enrollees in methadone maintenance t reatment programs (MMTPs) in Massachusetts and Connecticut, we examine d ethnographic data and interview data from MMTP clients (N = 674). Cl ients responded to questions about behaviors in the 30 days before dru g treatment. ETHNOGRAPH was used to analyze qualitative data, and logi stic regression analysis was used to identify variables associated wit h client-reported HIV infection. Statistical significance was set at P < .05. The client-reported HIV infection rate was 20% (132/674). Odds ratios for factors associated with client-reported HIV infection were being white (0.53), increase in age (1.07), use of non-injected heroi n (0.12), use of injected heroin (6.24), cocaine injection (1.78), sha ring of ''works'' with strangers (2.15), and ''safer sex'' behavior (4 .04). Additionally, 35% of those who did not use any illicit drugs rep orted being seropositive. The qualitative data suggested HIV positive clients were concerned about protecting sex partners, and learning of HIV infection motivated some to stop using drugs. Although some client s engaged in low-risk behaviors, others did not, and therefore the pot ential for HIV transmission among injection drug users (IDUs) in Conne cticut and Massachusetts exists. HIV prevention and drug treatment pro gram personnel should reinforce and build on the low-risk behaviors th at are acceptable and adopted by some in this population.