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Methadone treatment in Spain, 1994
A Domingo-Salvany1, K Pérez, M Torrens
1Institut Municipal d'Investigació Mèdica, Barcelona, Spain. adomingo@imim.es
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
|August 26, 1999
Summary
Methadone treatment in Spain shows unequal regional coverage and moderate adherence to HIV prevention guidelines. Improvements are needed to better manage HIV among patients receiving methadone treatment.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Methadone treatment (MT) is crucial for managing opioid dependence and preventing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission.
- Understanding the structure and effectiveness of MT networks is vital for public health interventions, especially in regions with high HIV prevalence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map the methadone treatment network across Spain.
- To assess adherence to HIV prevention criteria within these treatment centers.
Main Methods:
- A nationwide mailed questionnaire survey was distributed to methadone treatment centers in Spain.
- Data were collected from 224 centers, representing a 90% response rate, covering 13,402 patients.
Main Results:
- Methadone treatment coverage varied significantly by region, with a mean of 6.7 patients per 10,000 inhabitants.
- While the average daily methadone dose was 60 mg, 44% of centers reported lower doses.
- Adherence to HIV prevention protocols was moderate, indicating room for improvement.
Conclusions:
- Spain possesses a substantial methadone treatment network, but its regional distribution and operational standards require enhancement.
- Strengthening methadone treatment services is essential to mitigate HIV spread among vulnerable populations in Spain.