AIDSImpact.com:: - Santa Fe, USA 2011

Abstract #135 - A randomized control trial to prevent dropout of methadone maintenance treatment among drug users: Some preliminary results
Authors: Presenting Author: Prof. Joseph Tak Fai Lau - The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Additional Authors: Dr. Jing Gu, Dr. Huifang Xu, Prof. Ying Zhong, Prof. Wenhua Ling,
Aim: The effectiveness of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) in HIV prevention has been well documented. However, dropout is a problem facing by many MMT clinics both in China and other countries. The present study eavluates the effectiveness of a randomized control trial (RCT) which was designed to prevent dropout of MMT among drug users in China.
Method / Issue: A total of 288 new MMT users were randomly assigned into two groups. The control group (n=146) received the standard MMT service, while the intervention group (n=142) received the standard MMT as well as psychosocial interventions provided by social workers. Data were collected at baseline, one month and six months of treatment.
Results / Comments: Most of the participants were male (92%), average age being 36.7¡Ó5.3, and having a history of heroin use for 14.7¡Ó6.8 years. The differences in baseline data were not significant between the two groups. After using MMT for one month, the dropout rate was 4.9% and 19.2% for the intervention and the control groups, respectively (P<0.001). After using MMT for six months, the dropout rate for the two groups were 49.3% and 74.7% (P<0.001). Using survival analyses, the intervention group had a higher maintenance rate as compared to the control group (Log-rank test £q2=11.39, P=0.001). During the first month, respectively, the average dosage of MMT was 65.4ml and 56.0ml for the intervention and the control groups (P<0.001), and such was 66.1ml and 58.0ml during the six months (P=0.007).
Discussion: Interventions provided by social workers can effectively decrease dropout and increase dosage of MMT. The findings provided clues for the design of interventions in MMT clinics in China.
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