Descriptive Aspects of Injection Drug Users in Iran'S National Harm Reduction Program By Methadone Maintenance Treatment

Background: the ministry of health,treatment and medical education of iran has recently announced an estimated figure of 200,000 injecting drug users (idus). the aim of this study was to pilot a national program using demographics,types of drug abuse and prevalence of blood-borne infections among idus. methods: in order to elicit data on demographics,types of drug abuse and prevalence of blood-borne infections among idus,a questionnaire was designed in the bureau of mental-social health and addiction in collaboration with iran's drug control headquarters of the police department. therapeutical alliance of addiction in shafagh center was based on methadone maintenance therapy (mmt). results: among 402 reported idus most of them were male,single and in age range of 20 to 39 years old with 72.7% history of imprisonment. most of them had elementary and high school education and a history of addiction treatment. the majority were current users of opioid,heroin and crack. the prevalence of blood-borne infections was 65.9% and 18.8% for hcv and hiv/aids infections,respectively. conclusion: prevention programs about harm reduction,treatment and counseling should include young idus as a core focus of their intervention structure.