title: Hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus risk behaviors in polydrug users on methadone maintenance.
abstract: We examined the impact of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) on risk behaviors for transmission of blood-borne diseases in polydrug users who had tested positive or negative for hepatitis C virus (HCV). At intake, HCV-positive participants (n=362) engaged in more human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behaviors (as measured by the HIV Risk-Taking Behavior Scale) than HCV-negative participants (n=297; p< .001). This difference was specific to injection-related behaviors and decreased significantly within the first few weeks of MMT (p< .0001). Where needles continued to be used, HCV-positive participants became more likely over time to engage in safer injecting practices. Furthermore, HCV-positive participants became more likely to use condoms than HCV-negative participants. These findings demonstrate that both drug- and sex-related risk behaviors decrease during MMT and emphasize the benefits of methadone programs for public health and HIV/HCV prevention.
authors.affiliation: National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Willner-Reid
authors.forename: Katherine A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Belendiuk
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Epstein
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schmittner
authors.forename: Kenzie L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Preston
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D008691:Methadone