Predictors of injecting and injecting risk-taking behaviour among methadone-maintenance clients.
A sample of 222 methadone maintenance clients were interviewed regarding current injecting and needle risk-taking in order to ascertain factors associated with these behaviours. Just over half (55%) of subjects had injected in the month preceding interview. Current injecting was associated with being female, having a regular sexual partner who was a current injecting drug user, polydrug use and higher levels of global psychopathology. Approximately 15% of subjects had shared needles in the month preceding interview, predominantly with one other person. Needle sharing was associated with having a regular sexual partner who was a current injecting drug user, current criminality and injecting at places other than home. Needle-sharing episodes in the study period were considered safe by practically all sharers. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Darke
S
S
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Australia.
Swift
W
W
Hall
W
W
Ross
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D015438:Health Behavior; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016485:Needle Sharing / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012309:Risk-Taking; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*
D008691:Methadone