Changes in drug use are associated with health-related quality of life improvements among methadone maintenance patients with HIV/AIDS

Abstract

MMT improved the outcomes of treatment for drug users in ways that might facilitate success of antiretroviral therapy. Integrating MMT to HIV care and treatment services could be beneficial in injection-driven HIV epidemics in resource-scare settings.

Depressive Symptoms and Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Initiation Among HIV-Infected Russian Drinkers

“…Males (AOR 4.40 [95%CI 1.19, 5.29]) and those who had previously been on ART prior to enrollment (AOR 4.40 [95%CI 1.60, 12.11]) had higher odds of initiating ART. Consistent with previous work [19, 51, 52], injection drug users had lower odds of initiating ART (AOR 0.26 [95%CI 0.10, 0.68]). Heavy drinkers also appeared to have lower odds of initiating ART (AOR 0.52 [95%CI 0.26, 1.04]), however the results did not reach statistical significance.…”

Willingness to pay for methadone maintenance treatment in Vietnamese epicentres of injection-drug-driven HIV infection

“…The findings of this study provide evidence of the benefits of MMT: more than 80% of drug users receiving MMT were not currently using injection drugs and the treatment cost was only 5% of the self-reported costs of injection drugs. 11,14,23 The observation that patients were willing to pay an average of US$ 15.9 per month for MMT, or 53% of the costs per person, suggests that they also perceived benefits of MMT.…”

“…This indicates a possible preference for MMT among patients who are seeking therapy for drug abuse. 23 The study's strengths include its large sample size and recruitment at central, provincial and district clinics in three Vietnamese epicentres of injection-drug-driven HIV infection. In addition, the point and interval statistical approach were used, accounting for …”

“…effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and improved access to health-care services). 14,23,24 Interviewers then summarized the government's plan for scaling up MMT. 11,25 Although MMT was free as of 2012, interviewers concluded the summary by asserting that, because of decreasing international funding, it will be difficult for the government to expand treatment coverage.…”

Re-entry and related predictors among HIV-infected clients receiving methadone maintenance treatment in Guangdong province, China

“…They transmit HIV via either sharing needles or having unprotected sex with partners. A study has demonstrated that MMT not only decreased the frequency of drug use but also improved the health-related quality of life among HIVinfected opioid addicts (25). Therefore, it becomes particularly important to strengthen MMT retention in this subgroup.…”