Participating in Methadone Substitute Treatment and related factors among people who inject drugs in three South Eastern area provinces in 2021

Abstract

Methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) helps reduce drug injection and improve the quality of life of people who inject drugs. We conducted a study to determine the percentage of MMT usage and related factors among male PWID in three South-Eastern provinces (SEP). A cross-sectional survey of 600 people who inject drugs (PWID) aged 16+ was conducted in 2021. Percentage usage of MMT in the past month among PWID in SEP was 22.2%. Multivariate analysis showed the following factors associated with increased usage of MMT: PWID residing in Binh Duong; the age of first injecting drugs ≥20; duration of injecting drugs ≥5 years; ever getting tested for HIV; ever being enrolled in ARV treatment. Conversely, PWID who injected ≥10 times in the past month were less likely to involve in MMT. It is recommended that MMT programs should be improved, taking into consideration factors associated with MMT usage found in the study including both facilitating and hindering factors in order to attract more PWID to participate in MMT. MMT program for PWID residing in Binh Duong, having age of first injecting drugs ≥20, having a duration of injecting drugs ≥5 years, ever getting tested for HIV and ever being enrolled in ARV treatment needs to maintain; at the same time, it is essential to promote MMT program for PWID who injected ≥10 times in the past month.