Predictors of injecting and injecting risk-taking behaviour among methadone-maintenance clients

Addiction. 1994 Mar;89(3):311-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.1994.tb00897.x.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • Health Behavior
  • Heroin Dependence / psychology
  • Heroin Dependence / rehabilitation*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methadone / adverse effects
  • Methadone / therapeutic use*
  • Middle Aged
  • Needle Sharing / adverse effects
  • Needle Sharing / psychology
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / rehabilitation
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / psychology
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / rehabilitation*

Substances

  • Methadone