WHO Collaborative Study on Substitution Treatment of Opioid Dependence & HIV/AIDS

Regional Comparisons of the Outcomes of Substitution Treatment Therapy of Opioid Dependence: Results of WHO Study

 

WHO Workshop on Substitution Therapy for Opioid Dependence

Introduction 1: WHO Study

•       This study assessed the treatment outcomes of patients recruited at new and existing opioid maintenance treatment programmes in Asia (China, Indonesia, Thailand), Eastern Europe (Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine), the Middle East (Iran), and Australia.

•       Patients were assessed at entry to treatment (once withdrawal ceased) and at 3- and 6- month follow-ups

•       All assessments related to one month prior to interview

•       The main aims of evaluation were to explore changes in the following domains:

•    Prevalence of drug use

•    Health Status and well being of individuals in substitution treatment

•    HIV risk behaviour

•    Community/ Social benefits

•    Programme performance

 

 

 

Demographics

Demographics at treatment entry

Changes in Well Being and Health Status

Drug Use last 30 days – OTI

Health Status –Physical

Health Status –Psychological

Blood Borne Virus Risk Behaviour
BBV-Traq ^* Injecting practices

Blood Borne Virus Risk Behaviour
BBV-Traq * I I : Sexual practices

Community /Social Benefits

Criminal Activity

Employment Activity

Programme Performance

Programme Performance

          

Summary

•      Participation in ST was associated with:

–   decreases in opioid use

–   decreases in risky injection practices

–   decreases in criminal activity

–   improvements in  physical and psychological health

–   increases in employment activity

 

•      The mean daily methadone dose used in Australia and Europe was greater than that used in Asia [despite this retention in treatment was comparable].

 

 

Conclusions 

•      Outcome evaluation data from participating sites are consistent with findings from established ST programmes.

 

•      Despite the diversity of sites involved in this study participation in ST was associated with reductions in the prevalence of illicit drug use, reductions in HIV risk behaviors, and with improvements in general health status.