title: Descriptive Aspects of Injection Drug Users in Iran's National Harm Reduction Program by Methadone Maintenance Treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education of Iran has recently announced an estimated figure of 200,000 injecting drug users (IDUs). The aim of this study was to pilot a national program using demographics, types of drug abuse and prevalence of blood-borne infections among IDUs.
  
  
  METHODS
  In order to elicit data on demographics, types of drug abuse and prevalence of blood-borne infections among IDUs, a questionnaire was designed in the Bureau of Mental-Social Health and Addiction in collaboration with Iran's Drug Control Headquarters of the Police Department. Therapeutical alliance of addiction in Shafagh Center was based on Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 402 reported IDUs most of them were male, single and in age range of 20 to 39 years old with 72.7% history of imprisonment. Most of them had elementary and high school education and a history of addiction treatment. The majority were current users of opioid, heroin and crack. The prevalence of blood-borne infections was 65.9% and 18.8% for HCV and HIV/AIDS infections, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevention programs about harm reduction, treatment and counseling should include young IDUs as a core focus of their intervention structure.
authors: Bureau of Mental & Social Health and Addiction, Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Sharareh
authors: S
authors: Eskandarieh
authors: Ali
authors: A
authors: Nikfarjam
authors: Termeh
authors: T
authors: Tarjoman
authors: Abassali
authors: A
authors: Nasehi
authors: Firoozeh
authors: F
authors: Jafari
authors: Mohammad-Bagher
authors: MB
authors: Saberi-Zafarghandi
keywords: Harm reduction; IDUs; Iran; Methadone maintenance treatment
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