Title: Misconceptions toward methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) and associated factors among new MMT users in Guangzhou, China
Abstract: The methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) program is scaling up in China, but little is known about drug users' cognitions of MMT. To investigate the prevalence and associated factors of MMT-related misconceptions, a totally of 300 newly admitted MMT users were interviewed in three MMT clinics in Guangzhou. Four statements were used to assess MMT-related misconceptions. The results showed that the majority of participants misconceived that MMT is intended primarily for detoxification (92.3%), that one could be completely detoxified and quit using methadone after using it for 2–3 months (64.2%), that MMT is not a long-term or even lifetime treatment (77.9%); and that one should attempt to reduce its treatment dosage as methadone is harmful to one's health (84.3%); 48.5% of the respondents possessed all four types of misconceptions. Prior experience of methadone use in voluntary drug detoxification centers (OR = 1.82 to 2.55, p < 0.05) was associated with some misconception items, whilst being introduced by some peer drug users or community members to use MMT (versus not being introduced by anyone; OR = 0.38 to 0.50, p < 0.05), having taken up HIV voluntary counseling and testing prior to admission (OR = 0.52, p < 0.05), and a higher HIV-related knowledge level (OR = 0.38, p < 0.05) were associated with lower likelihoods for possessing some of the misconceptions. The findings suggested that MMT-related misconceptions were very prevalent among newly recruited MMT users in China. Misconceptions are potential factors causing drop-outs. Interventions targeting such misconceptions are greatly warranted.
Publication Year: 2012
Publication Date: 2012-05-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref', 'pubmed']
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Cited By Count: 22
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