Predictors of injecting and injecting risk-taking behaviour among methadone-maintenance clients

A sample of 222 methadone maintenance clients were interviewed regarding current injecting and needle risk-taking in order to ascertain factors associated with these behaviours. Just over half (55%) of subjects had injected in the month preceding interview. Current injecting was associated with being female, having a regular sexual partner who was a current injecting drug user, polydrug use and higher levels of global psychopathology. Approximately 15% of subjects had shared needles in the month preceding interview, predominantly with one other person. Needle sharing was associated with having a regular sexual partner who was a current injecting drug user, current criminality and injecting at places other than home. Needle-sharing episodes in the study period were considered safe by practically all sharers. The implications of these findings are discussed.