OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the first eight pilot methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) clinics in China. METHODS: A questionnaire survey of the clients at the 8 pilot MMT clinics was performed at entry, 6 month and 12 month follow-up. Drug using behaviors, drug related crime behaviors, and relationships in families were compared among at entry, 6 and 12 months follow-up. RESULTS: There were 585, 609 and 468 clients involved at baseline, 6 month and 12 month follow-up surveys, respectively. At entry, 6 month and 12 month follow-up, the proportion of clients whose injection of drugs reduced from 69.1% to 8.9% and 8.8%, and the frequency of injection in the past month had reduced from 90 times per month to 2 times per month. Employment rate increased from 22.9% to 43.2% and 40.6%, and self-reported criminal behaviors reduced from 20.7% to 3.6% and 3.8%. At 12 month follow-up, 65.8% of clients reported a healthy family relationship, increased from 46.8% at entry, 95.9% of clients reported that they were satisfied with the MMT service. CONCLUSION: Pilot MMT program reduced drug use, drug injecting behaviors, drug related criminal behaviors, and improved relationship with family members. Therefore, MMT clinic should be considered as a platform for providing comprehensive services to drug users.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the first eight pilot methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) clinics in China. METHODS: A questionnaire survey of the clients at the 8 pilot MMT clinics was performed at entry, 6 month and 12 month follow-up. Drug using behaviors, drug related crime behaviors, and relationships in families were compared among at entry, 6 and 12 months follow-up. RESULTS: There were 585, 609 and 468 clients involved at baseline, 6 month and 12 month follow-up surveys, respectively. At entry, 6 month and 12 month follow-up, the proportion of clients whose injection of drugs reduced from 69.1% to 8.9% and 8.8%, and the frequency of injection in the past month had reduced from 90 times per month to 2 times per month. Employment rate increased from 22.9% to 43.2% and 40.6%, and self-reported criminal behaviors reduced from 20.7% to 3.6% and 3.8%. At 12 month follow-up, 65.8% of clients reported a healthy family relationship, increased from 46.8% at entry, 95.9% of clients reported that they were satisfied with the MMT service. CONCLUSION: Pilot MMT program reduced drug use, drug injecting behaviors, drug related criminal behaviors, and improved relationship with family members. Therefore, MMT clinic should be considered as a platform for providing comprehensive services to drug users.
Authors: Biao Zhou; Gao Feng Feng Cai; Hua Kun Kun Lv; Shuang Fei Fei Xu; Zheng Ting Ting Wang; Zheng Gang Gang Jiang; Chong Gao Gao Hu; Yong Di Di Chen Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-07-02 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Shaokun Liu; Xia Zou; Xiaoling Huang; Yin Liu; Qian Lu; Li Ling Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-12-23 Impact factor: 3.390