Document 0562
 DOCN  M9590562
 TI    HIV risk-taking behaviour among injecting drug users currently,
       previously and never enrolled in methadone treatment.
 DT    9509
 AU    Baker A; Kochan N; Dixon J; Wodak A; Heather N; National Drug & Alcohol
       Research Centre, University of New South; Wales, Sydney, Australia.
 SO    Addiction. 1995 Apr;90(4):545-54. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/95291114
 AB    This study compares the injecting and sexual risk-taking behaviour among
       injecting drug users (IDUs) currently, previously and never enrolled in
       methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). All subjects had injected during
       the 6 months prior to the day of interview. The current MMT group showed
       significantly lower injecting risk-taking behaviour subscale scores on
       the HIV Risk-taking Behaviour Scale (HRBS) of the Opiate Treatment Index
       than the previous MMT and non-MMT groups together. The current MMT group
       differed from the other two groups in the frequency of 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 were no
       differences between the previous MMT and non-MMT groups in injecting and
       sexual risk-taking behaviour. HIV seroprevalence was low and there was
       no difference in seroprevalence between groups. Thus, IDUs currently
       enrolled in MMT are at reduced risk for HIV infection when compared with
       IDUs who have previously or never been enrolled in MMT. However, the
       absence of a difference between the current MMT and other two groups in
       frequency of sharing behaviours suggests the need for additional
       strategies among MMT clients to reduce needle-sharing. Possible
       strategies include the application of relapse prevention interventions
       and the availability of sterile injecting equipment in MMT clinics.
       Further research is needed to identify factors which increase attraction
       and retention of IDUs to MMT.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*ETIOLOGY/*TRANSMISSION  Adult
       Comparative Study  Female  Human  *HIV Seropositivity  Male
       Methadone/*THERAPEUTIC USE  Middle Age  *Risk-Taking  Sex Behavior
       Substance Abuse, Intravenous/*COMPLICATIONS/*DRUG THERAPY  Support,
       Non-U.S. Gov't  JOURNAL ARTICLE

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