FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CLIENT-REPORTED HIV INFECTION AMONG CLIENTS ENTERING METHADONE TREATMENT.

This article presents information on the demographic and behavioral factors associated with client-reported HIV infection among new enrollees in methadone maintenance treatment programs (MMTPs) in Massachusetts and Connecticut. It is informed that in the U.S., there are an estimated half million heroin addicts and approximately 115,000 addicts in 750 outpatient MMTPs. HIV has spread rapidly among injection drug users (IDUs) in the U.S. and in Europe. This rapid spread of HIV among IDUs has predominantly been the result of the sharing of contaminated needles, syringe, etc. Numerous factors associated with HIV infection among IDUs have been found within different geographic areas and communities. HIV infection is related to sexual behaviors, drug use behaviors, or both; however, specific factors related to these behaviors are not consistent between studies. One longitudinal study found that IDUs who reduced their HIV risk behaviors had a lower seroconversion rate than those who continued to engage in high-risk behaviors.