Illicit substance use among methadone maintenance therapy patients in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Illicit substance use while in treatment is common among methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) patients. This study was conducted to examine the prevalence and types of illicit substance use among MMT patients and factors associated with illicit substance use. Methods A cross-sectional study using simple random sampling method was conducted in MMT clinic in a tertiary hospital, Malaysia from October until November 2019. Descriptive analyses, chi-square test, t-test, Cohen’s kappa test, univariate and multiple logistic regression were performed. Results Out of 93 respondents, the majority were male (94.6%), Malay (77.4%), married (61.3%), had education until secondary level (80.6%) and active smoker (90.4%). The prevalence of illicit substance ever use within the past 12 months was 26.9%. Amphetamine/methamphetamine was recorded as the most prevalent illicit substances (62.5%) used. Most of the participants who used illicit substances while in treatment were social users. Drinking status of respondents was associated with illicit substance use (adjusted OR = 21.2, 95% CI: 2.40–186.69) in multivariable analysis. Conclusion Amphetamine/methamphetamine was the most common illicit substance used among MMT patients and illicit substances were mainly used for recreational purposes. Patients with active drinking status were associated with illicit substance use.