Methadone treatment in Spain, 1994.

The objective of this study was to describe the methadone treatment (MT) network in Spain, and to evaluate compliance with criteria known to influence the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). During the last 3 months of 1994, a mailed questionnaire was sent to the coordinators of all methadone treatment centers in Spain. A total of 224 centers completed the questionnaire (90% response rate). The total number of patients receiving MT in the studied centers was 13,402. Their mean age was 29 years, 79% were male, and approximately 60% were HIV positive. The rate of patients in MT varied by Region (mean: 6.7 patients in MT per 10,000 inhabitants). Although the global mean of reported daily dose of methadone was 60 mg, in 44% of the centers it was lower than that. Despite the high number of centers involved with MT in Spain, the coverage by regions is unequal. Studied centers revealed only a moderate adherence to procedures considered to be effective in HIV prevention. Given the magnitude of HIV infection in Spain, there is a clear need for improvement.