Effectiveness of Methadone Therapy for Opiate Dependents in Kelantan
Journal name: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
Original article title: The Effectiveness of Methadone Maintenance Therapy Among Opiate - Dependants Registered with Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II Kota Bharu, Kelantan
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences (MJMS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published online at least six times a year. It covers all aspects of medical sciences and prioritizes high-quality research.
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Jeganathan Premila Devi, Ab Rahman Azriani, Wan Mohd Zahiruddin, Mohd Noor Mohd Ariff, Abdullah Noor Hashimah
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences:
(A peer-reviewed, open-access journal)
Full text available for: The Effectiveness of Methadone Maintenance Therapy Among Opiate - Dependants Registered with Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II Kota Bharu, Kelantan
Year: 2012
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) program for injecting drug users (IDUs) in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Opiate dependence remains a significant public health issue, exacerbated by high-risk behaviors such as intravenous drug use and the accompanying threat of HIV transmission. The MMT program aims to reduce addiction-related issues and improve the quality of life for individuals struggling with opiate dependence by offering a medically supervised treatment option. The study's objectives included assessing changes in drug use, HIV risk behaviors, health status, and overall psychosocial functioning among participants after twelve months in the program.
Reducing Drug Use and HIV Risk Behaviors
The findings of the study highlight a significant reduction in drug use and HIV risk-taking behaviors following twelve months of participation in the MMT program. The Heroin Q score, which measures heroin use, saw a substantial mean difference of 2.01, indicating a decrease in consumption. Likewise, the HIV Risk-taking Behavior Scale (HRBS) indicated an improvement with a mean difference of 7.64, suggesting that participants engaged in safer practices post-treatment. These reductions underscore the potential of MMT not only to lower the prevalence of drug use but also to contribute positively to public health efforts by decreasing the risk of HIV transmission among high-risk populations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the results of this study support the effectiveness of the MMT program in treating heroin and opiate dependence among IDUs in Kota Bharu. The significant reduction in drug use and HIV risk behaviors illustrates the program's capacity to improve the health and quality of life for those affected by opiate addiction. While the study acknowledges certain limitations, including reliance on self-reported data and potential interview biases, it presents compelling evidence for the continued implementation and expansion of MMT services. Further research is necessary to explore long-term outcomes and the broader social implications of the program.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What was the objective of the study on MMT?
The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) for injecting drug users (IDUs) in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, particularly in improving their quality of life, reducing relapse, and enhancing health and psychosocial functioning.
How were the participants selected for the MMT study?
Participants included IDUs who were registered and had completed twelve months of the MMT program at the Psychiatric Clinic of Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II from November 2005 to January 2008, contributing to a total of 117 reviewed records.
What significant outcomes were observed after twelve months of MMT?
The study found significant reductions in mean scores for heroin use, HIV risk-taking behavior, and health conditions after twelve months of MMT, indicating that the program effectively improved the participants' overall well-being.
What was the impact of MMT on social functioning and criminality?
Although there was a trend towards reduced criminality, improvements in social functioning were not statistically significant, likely due to social stigma and challenges in restoring family relationships among participants.
Other Health Sciences Concepts:
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Social stigma, Statistical analysis, Quality of life, Paired T test, Retrospective study, Significant level, Quality of life assessment, Sociodemographic characteristics, Social functioning, Self-report, Psychosocial functioning, Opiate agonist, Socio-demographics, Injecting drug users, Family relationship, Methadone Maintenance Therapy, Opiate Treatment Index, Golden Triangle, HIV epidemic, Interviewer bias, Harm reduction strategies, Drug-related deaths, Heroin dependence, HIV risk behavior, Harm Reduction, Opiate dependence, Drug users, Methadone maintenance, Injecting drug use, Australian Treatment Outcome, Addiction medicine, Opiate users, Methadone treatment.