Outcomes of an AIDS prevention program for methadone patients

Methadone maintenance patients are at risk of contracting or transmitting HIV through intravenous drug use and/or unsafe sexual practices. An outcome evaluation of a voluntary AIDS prevention program for methadone patients in three clinics (two experimental, one control) is reported. The prevention program included three components: didactic AIDS education, HIV antibody counseling/testing, and facilitated peer support groups. Participation in AIDS education was associated with increased knowledge of AIDS risks and with improved attitudes toward condoms. Peer group participation was associated with improved attitudes toward the use of condoms and with increased use of condoms. Learning of HIV seronegativity was related to increased self-efficacy and decreased intravenous drug use risk behaviors. Rates of participation in the prevention program were disappointing, but the program seemed beneficial for those patients who did become involved.