Document 0594
 DOCN  M94A0594
 TI    HIV antibody testing and HIV risk behaviour among clients attending
       methadone clinics in NSW.
 DT    9412
 AU    MacDonald M; Elford J; Wodak A; Ward P; Kaldor J; National Centre in HIV
       Epidemiology and Clinical Research,; Darlinghurst, NSW.
 SO    Annu Conf Australas Soc HIV Med. 1993 Oct 28-30;5:89 (poster no. 30).
       Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ASHM5/94349061
 AB    OBJECTIVE: To describe HIV antibody testing policy and practice, and
       information collected concerning HIV risk behaviour among clients
       attending methadone clinics in NSW. METHODS: In April 1993,
       questionnaires concerning HIV testing policy and practice, and the
       information collected on HIV risk behaviour, were sent to 36 methadone
       clinics in New South Wales. Completed questionnaires were returned by
       86% of clinics. RESULTS: In 1992, 3237 clients were assessed for entry
       to methadone programs from 27 clinics. Twenty four (80%) clinics
       routinely recommended HIV antibody testing to all clients at the time of
       assessment for entry into methadone treatment and 5 clinics (17%)
       recommended testing to selected groups of clients. The median percentage
       of clients tested following recommendation was 95% although 8 clinics
       did not know whether clients accepted their testing recommendations.
       Information concerning injecting risk behaviour was collected by 24
       clinics and information on sexual risk behaviour by 21 clinics.
       CONCLUSION: It appears that a high proportion of clients attending
       methadone clinics in NSW are tested for HIV antibodies and are asked
       about injecting and sexual HIV risk taking behaviour. Although clients
       receiving treatment are not representative of all injecting drug users,
       methadone clinics represent important and relatively accessible sites
       for monitoring.
 DE    Human  HIV Infections/EPIDEMIOLOGY/PREVENTION & CONTROL/*TRANSMISSION
       Methadone/*THERAPEUTIC USE  New South Wales/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Risk Factors
       Sex Behavior  Substance Abuse Treatment Centers/STATISTICS & NUMER DATA
       Substance Abuse, Intravenous/COMPLICATIONS/EPIDEMIOLOGY/
       *REHABILITATION  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).