An outcome assessment on methadone maintenance treatment in Youjiang district,Baise city

Objective To evaluate the results of methadone maintenance treatment for heroin addicts in Youjiang District,Baise City.Methods Baseline survey and follow-up questionnaire after 6 month treatment were conducted in 150 heroin addicts who had received methadone maintenance treatment from October 2009 to December 2010.Results ①Among the 150 patients,82.67% were males,72.00% were Zhuang ethnic minority,81.33% had middle school education level or lower, 74.00% were unemployed,58.00% aged from 30 to 39 years.②After methadone maintenance treatment,the times of taking drug and injection was significantly less than before treatment(P0.01).③After methadone maintenance treatment,unprotected sexual behaviours were lower than before treatment(P0.01);criminal behavior significantly reduced(P0.01);and family relationships improved significantly,and the employed people significantly increased(P0.01).Conclusion Methadone maintenance treatment can improve social function and family relationship for heroin addicts,including reduce the high risk behaviors such as injecting drugs,improve protected sexual behaviour,reduce crimes and increase their family's harmony.