Evaluation of first 8 pilot methadone maintenance treatment clinics in China / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effectiveness of the first eight pilot methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) clinics in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A questionnaire survey of the clients at the 8 pilot MMT clinics was performed at entry, 6 month and 12 month follow-up. Drug using behaviors, drug related crime behaviors, and relationships in families were compared among at entry, 6 and 12 months follow-up.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 585, 609 and 468 clients involved at baseline, 6 month and 12 month follow-up surveys, respectively. At entry, 6 month and 12 month follow-up, the proportion of clients whose injection of drugs reduced from 69.1% to 8.9% and 8.8%, and the frequency of injection in the past month had reduced from 90 times per month to 2 times per month. Employment rate increased from 22.9% to 43.2% and 40.6%, and self-reported criminal behaviors reduced from 20.7% to 3.6% and 3.8%. At 12 month follow-up, 65.8% of clients reported a healthy family relationship, increased from 46.8% at entry, 95.9% of clients reported that they were satisfied with the MMT service.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Pilot MMT program reduced drug use, drug injecting behaviors, drug related criminal behaviors, and improved relationship with family members. Therefore, MMT clinic should be considered as a platform for providing comprehensive services to drug users.</p>