Abstract
To investigate factors associated with illicit opioid use among methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) population. Participants were recruited from Beijing (2 clinics), Shanghai (2 clinics), Guangdong (2 clinics), Chongqing (2 clinics) and Gansu (1 clinic) provinces. Information about heroin use and MMT was obtained from a self-reported questionnaire, illicit opioid use was obtained from monthly medical records. Binary logistic regression was used to investigate factors associated with illicit opioid use. Five hundred ninety-eight eligible MMT participants were used for data analysis. Variables such as age, gender, route of heroin use and daily MMT dosages were associated with illicit opioid use. Compared with MMT participants aged <40years, participants aged 40-44years (P=0.027, OR=0.57, 95% CI 0.35-0.94), 45-49years (P<0.001, OR=0.41, 95% CI 0.24-0.67) and ≥50years (P=0.008, OR=0.52, 95% CI 0.33-0.85) were more likely not to have illicit opioid use. Compared with male participants, females were more likely to have illicit opioid use (P=0.044, OR=1.53, 95% CI 1.01-2.32). Compared with inhalation heroin abusers, abusers with route of inhalation+injection heroin use were more likely to have illicit opioid use (P=0.009, OR=2.00, 95% CI 1.19-3.36). Compared with daily MMT dosages <60mg participants, participants with daily MMT dosages >80mg were more likely to have illicit opioid use (P=0.003, OR=2.37, 95% CI 1.35-4.15). Age, gender, route of heroin use and daily MMT dosages were associated with illicit opioid use. A tailored intervention is needed for a promotion of MMT.
Highlights
Methadone is a long-acting synthetic opioid-receptor agonist, which has been first synthesized in Germany as a substitute analgesic for morphine prior to World War II
Objectives To investigate factors associated with illicit opioid use among methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) population
Gender, route of heroin use and daily MMT dosages were associated with illicit opioid use
Summary
Methadone is a long-acting synthetic opioid-receptor agonist, which has been first synthesized in Germany as a substitute analgesic for morphine prior to World War II. MMT can avoid withdrawal symptoms induced by heroin abstention, suppress heroin use [3, 4], decrease needle-syringe sharing practices, lower risks of HIV and other blood-borne diseases transmission and infection [5,6,7,8], reduce harm and criminalities [9], help heroin abusers return to society earlier [10]. It has been accepted and used in some regions and nations especially in most developed countries
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