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Methadone maintenance therapy outcomes in Iran
Roya Noori1, Homan Narenjiha, Habibollah Aghabakhshi
1Dariush Institute, Research Center of Substance Abuse and Dependency, Tehran, Iran. swt f@yahoo.com
Substance Use & Misuse
|March 16, 2012
Summary
Methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) significantly reduced drug injection and needle sharing among Iranian injecting drug users (IDUs). MMT also improved social well-being, offering a vital harm reduction strategy for HIV prevention.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Injecting drug users (IDUs) in Iran pose a significant risk for HIV transmission.
- Harm reduction programs are crucial alongside law enforcement for managing IDUs.
- Methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) is a key intervention to evaluate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of MMT in Iranian IDUs.
- To examine the impact of MMT on health and social outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study conducted in Tehran in 2006.
- Compared 75 IDUs on MMT (≥6 months) with 75 newly admitted clients (control group).
- Assessed injection/sexual behaviors, social well-being, and drug use patterns.
Main Results:
- MMT significantly reduced drug injection (16% vs. 100%) and needle/syringe sharing (4% vs. 40%).
- Improved social relationships were observed in the MMT group.
- No significant differences in dangerous sexual behaviors or crime/arrest rates were found.
Conclusions:
- MMT is a critical tool for controlling HIV epidemics by reducing heroin injection and associated risks.
- Challenges include inflation, lack of coordination, budget constraints, and inadequate follow-up.
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