Investigation on Community Methadone Maintenance Treatment on 200 Heroin Addicts in Xinjiang

Objective To understand demographic characteristics and basic situation of drug abuse of heroin addicts accepted Methadone maintenance treatment(MMT). Methods An investigation was conducted among 200 heroin dependent patients recruited for MMT with the Baseline Questionnaire designed by The National Drug Abuse Surveillance Center. Results Among the 200 cases, positive rate was 26.6 % of HIV, 71.9% of HCV and 0 of infection with Treponema pallidum. Positive rate of the last Morphine urine test was 33.1% (all of the positive before the control test). The current dose of MMT was at average of 52 mL. 72% of taking drug was at the gathering with friends caused by curiosity. The last time taking heroin by injection was 68.5%. 79.4% of them did not participate in the needle exchange activities. Conclusions There is communicable risk of HIV and HCV in the injecting drug users with maintenance treatment. It is urgently needed to implement education of HIV/AIDS prevention and behavior intervention in drug users during Methadone maintenance treatment.