PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the experience of Korean university students who participated in a therapeutic community. METHODS: Qualitative descriptive research was used. A focus group, in-depth interviews, participant-observation, and self-reports were used to collect data from 9 Korean university students. Participants lived with drug addicts for 6 weeks at DAYTOP in New York, USA. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Seven themes and 32 subthemes were found: 1) understanding myself through mutual observation: self-discovery, self-acceptance, self-differentiation, career choices, breaking an addictive habit; 2) healing emotional wounds: trust building, self-closure, recognition of emotional wounds, peaceful mind; 3) being honest with my emotions: understanding addicts, expression of emotions, attitudes about confrontation, confronting others: 4) expressing myself: time management, expression of thanks, I-message, behavior modification, taking a stand; 5) balancing responsibility: attitudes about leaders and work, sharing work, supplementing, sharing opinions; 6) becoming interested in others: understanding family members, recognition of differences, asking about concerns of others, asking for forgiveness, conversation with family members ; 7) becoming interested in the community: attitudes about community, keeping rules, role model, active participation. CONCLUSION: These results show that a therapeutic community can be effective in changing participants' inner selves and behaviors.
Behavior Therapy ; Career Choice ; Drug Users ; Focus Groups ; Forgiveness ; Humans ; Statistics as Topic ; Therapeutic Community* ; Time Management ; Wounds and Injuries

Objective: To understand the characteristics of HIV infected persons without long term disease progress [also known as long term non-progressors (LTNPs)], and related factors in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (Guangxi). Methods: Data of persons living with HIV and receiving no antiretroviral therapy in Guangxi by the end of 2016 were collected from the national HIV/AIDS comprehensive control and prevention information system of China. Results: By the end of 2016, there were 313 LTNPs in Guangxi, accounting for 2.3% of those being reported for more than 10 years, 5.4% of those being reported for more than 10 years and surviving, and 26.6% of those being reported for more than 10 years, surviving and receiving no antiretroviral therapy. Among the LTNPs, 87.2%(273) were men, 94.9% (297) were aged ≤ 40 years, 32.3% (101) were farmers, 55.6% (174) were single, divorced or widowed, 69.3% (217) were of Han ethnic group, 68.1% (213) were injecting drug users, and 52.1% (163) were from custody facilities. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that factors associated with delayed disease progression included age ≤40 years (compared with age >40 years, aOR=1.55, 95%CI: 1.31-3.12) and injection drug use (compared with sexual transmission, aOR=1.23, 95%CI: 1.10-1.74). Conclusions: A number of LTNPs existed in HIV-infected individuals in Guangxi. Further research are needed to identify the related factors, and it is necessary to conduct large sample size studies on host immunology, genetics and the virology of HIV to explore the related mechanism.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; China/epidemiology* ; Drug Users/statistics & numerical data* ; Ethnicity/statistics & numerical data* ; HIV Infections/ethnology* ; Humans ; Male ; Socioeconomic Factors

Drug use (DU), particularly injecting drug use (IDU) has been the main route of transmission and spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) among injecting drug users (IDUs). Previous studies have proven that needles or cottons sharing during drug injection were major risk factors for HIV/AIDS transmission at the personal level. Being a social behavioral issue, HIV/AIDS related risk factors should be far beyond the personal level. Therefore, studies on HIV/AIDS related risk factors should focus not only on the individual factors, but also on the association between HIV/AIDS cases and macroscopic-factors, such as economic status, transportation, health care services, etc. The impact of the macroscopic-factors on HIV/AIDS status might be either positive or negative, which are potentially reflected in promoting, delaying or detecting HIV/AIDS epidemics.
China ; epidemiology ; Drug Users ; statistics & numerical data ; Geography, Medical ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; transmission ; Humans ; Injections ; adverse effects ; Models, Statistical ; Principal Component Analysis ; Regression Analysis ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Spatial Analysis

OBJECTIVETo apply workbook method for the estimation on syphilis epidemic in China.

METHODSThe data on population size and syphilis infection were collected by national STD and HIV/AIDS surveillance system among six populations aged from 15 to 49 years old in 31 provinces in 2011. Six groups included female sex workers (FSW), men who have sex with men (MSM), STD clinic attendee, drug users, pregnant women and general population. Meta analysis was applied to pool the different prevalence of the same population in the different sentinels of each province, and then workbook method was applied to estimate the syphilis epidemic in China.

RESULTSThe estimation of syphilis epidemic(95%CI) was 2 979 422(1 504 000-6 063 309) among the populations aged 15 to 49 years old in 2011. The estimation among FSW was 54 624 (38 422-78 875) , that of MSM was 265 453 (162 586-506 520) , that of STD clinic attendee was 53 555 (31 256-98 057) , that of drug users was 94 244 (66 475-139 349) , that of pregnant women was 70 062 (39 942-136 584) and that of general population was 2 441 484 (1 165 319-5 103 924) . The proportion of general population in the whole estimation of syphilis infection was 81.94%, and that of MSM was 8.91%. The estimation of syphilis incidence was 1 489 711 among 15 to 49 years old, and the estimation of syphilis prevalence was 0.40% in the whole country. The estimation of incidence in this research was 5.2 times as the number of reported cases from China information system for diseases control and prevention.

CONCLUSIONWorkbook method was a scientific and feasible toolkit for the estimation of syphilis epidemic in China, and the estimation outcomes were greatly significant for syphilis control.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Drug Users ; Epidemics ; statistics & numerical data ; Epidemiologic Methods ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pregnancy ; Prevalence ; Sexual Behavior ; Syphilis ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo detect recent HIV incidence of injection drug users (IDU) from a surveillance site of IDU in Guangxi and estimate HIV incidence.

METHODS787 Samples from a IDU surveillance sentinel site in Guangxi (2005 - 2007) were collected for ELISA and 168 were HIV-1 positive; then 168 HIV-1 positive samples were detected by BED capture enzyme immunoassay (BED-CEIA) and 17 were positive.

RESULTSA total of 787 samples were tested and 168 were HIV-1 positive and 17 were BED-CEIA positive. The prevalence rates of the IDU surveillance sentinel site were 23.06% (92/399), 21.90% (46/210) and 16.85% (30/178), and the incidence rates were 7.41% (10/135), 6.94% (5/72) and 3.12% (2/64) respectively from 2005 to 2007.

CONCLUSIONThe incidence rate of HIV infections of IDU from a surveillance site of IDU in Guangxi appeared to decline slowly in recent years, and some might have been infected for long time.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Drug Users ; statistics & numerical data ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Female ; HIV Infections ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sentinel Surveillance ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the factors associated with retention in a community-based methadone maintenance treatment(MMT) among drug users in Urumqi.

METHODSWith national MMT guideline( drift) for heroine addicted drug users, local heroine-dependent people were admitted to community-based MMT program affiliated to Xinjiang Uigur Autonomous Region Center for Mental Health. Data on outpatients' social-demo characteristics, baseline behaviors on drug use and daily stabilized dose of drugs were entered to MMT database.

RESULTSUp to 10, Feb. , 2006,353 persons withdrew MMT treatment among 709 heroin dependant drug users. Between 11, Aug., 2005 and 10, Feb., 2006, with median duration as 77 days, cumulative drop-out rate of 90 days and 180 days after first dose of MMT were 73.8% among 455 and 99.4% among 355 drug users, respectively. The incidence of drop-outs was 29.8 per 100 person-month. The median length of stay (days) in MMT was 68.0 (95% CI: 59.0- 78.0). Correlates of retention were found as: Being Uigur(HR = 1.35;95% CI :1.09-1.67), duration of drug use (HR =0.74; 95% CI:0.55-0.99) and stabilized dose(HR = 0.60;95% CI: 0.48-0.74) was found in multiple Cox proportional hazard regression model.

CONCLUSIONRetention of MMT among drug users in Urumqi was low. Uigur people should be given individual counseling to help them increase the compliance rate. Within the ranges of clinic dosage, adjustment of the methadone dose on an individual base might serve as an appropriate approach to increase the effectiveness of the program.

Adult ; Aged ; China ; Drug Users ; psychology ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Heroin Dependence ; psychology ; rehabilitation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Patient Compliance ; Substance Abuse Treatment Centers ; statistics & numerical data ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To explore the characteristics of sexual risk behaviors and related factors of drug users in two enforced detoxification institutions in Changsha, China. METHODS: A total of 309 drug users from two compulsory detoxifications in Hunan Province were investigated using self-designed questionnaire, which included background information, drug use and sexual risk behaviors, STD/HIV related knowledge and permissiveness of sexual behaviors. RESULTS: Among 309 drug users, 279 (90.3%) had regular sexual relationships, and 85 (27.5%) of them had more than 1 regular partner. The prevalence of casual sexual behaviors, commercial sexual behaviors and multi-partner sexual behaviors was 38.2% (118/309), 25.9% (80/309), and 62.8% (194/309), respectively. And 74 (23.9%) had sex with both commercial and noncommercial partners. The major factors related to sexual risk behaviors were gender, marital status, the age of sexual debut, drug injection, the history of STD and sexual permissiveness. CONCLUSION Sexually risk behaviors are relatively common in drug users. To modify the sexual risk behaviors in this group is very important to prevent and control HIV transmission to general population.
Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Drug Users ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; transmission ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk-Taking ; Sexual Partners ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Unsafe Sex ; statistics & numerical data ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo understand the cognition of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) and to explore the factors associated with the coverage of MMT, among the community-based drug users in Dongguan, Guangdong province.

METHODSIn 2008, respondent-driven sampling was applied to recruit community-based drug users in Dongguan. A structured questionnaire was used for a face to face interview. RDSAT was applied to adjust the estimates and the results from bivariate analysis. SPSS was used for multivariate analysis.

RESULTSA total of 303 drug users were recruited within a 15-week period. The coverage of MMT program was 8.4% (95%CI: 3.4 - 16.5). 62.9% of the drug users had heard of MMT, of which 80.8% had not been enrolled at MMT mainly for the following reasons: fear of being arrested (25%), being not familiar with the application process (18.9%), no certification of domiciliary register and or ever being in detoxification center (18.7%) and thinking poorly of MMT (18.3%). Multiple logistic regression model indicated that those who were local residents (OR = 22.5, 95%CI: 6.6 - 75.7) and whose effect of MMT being evaluated as positive (OR = 24.1, 95%CI: 6.3 - 91.6) were more likely to be enrolled at the MMT program.

CONCLUSIONCommunity-based drug users had some irrational cognition on MMT program. Dissemination and sharing of information on MMT should be strengthened through media and existing social network among drug users. More concern should be paid to the people who were on migration when making policy to improve the coverage of MMT.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cognition ; Drug Users ; psychology ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Male ; Methadone ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Opiate Substitution Treatment ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care ; statistics & numerical data ; Substance Abuse Treatment Centers ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo estimate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) prevalence of injecting drug users (IDUs) in Chongqing city.

METHODSTo apply BED-capture enzyme immunoassay (CEIA) which was based on the principle of HIV-antibody varies as the disease progress, in order to estimate both the HIV incidence and prevalence of IDUs from two IDUs surveillance sites in Chongqing.

RESULTSDuring the research period, 4711 serum samples were tested by ELISA and 130 were HIV-1 positive, confirmed by Western blot. The prevalence of IDUs surveillance site A from 1999 to 2006 were 0.73%, 2.02%, 1.54%, 2.96% and 2.80%, and the incidence rates were 0.57%, 0.93%, 0,1.24% and 1.68% respectively. The prevalence of IDUs surveillance site B appeared to be 4.21%, 9.96%, 8.13%, and the incidence rates were 0.95%, 1.04% and 0.90% respectively, from 2004 to 2006.

CONCLUSIONMany of the IDUs HIV carriers in Chongqing had been infected for long time, and the incidence rates among them were steady, keeping at the same level for 1-2 years. Promotion on intervention for IDUs had produced certain effects but more attention still needs to be paid.

AIDS Serodiagnosis ; methods ; China ; epidemiology ; Drug Users ; HIV Antibodies ; blood ; HIV Infections ; blood ; epidemiology ; HIV Seroprevalence ; Humans ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Incidence ; Population Surveillance ; Prevalence ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous ; epidemiology ; virology ; Urban Population ; statistics & numerical data

Objective: To explore the reasons and factors associated with new psychoactive substances abuse among patients with access to methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). Methods: A well-developed questionnaire and urine tests were used to collect information about demographic characteristics, condition of MMT and drug abuse, family and social support of MMT clients. A 1∶1 matched case-control study was conducted, and conditional logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with new psychoactive substances abuse. Results: A total of 212 (106 pairs) clients receiving MMT were recruited, and most of them were males (78.3%, 166/212), married or cohabitant (48.6%, 103/212) and unemployed (63.2%, 134/212). The average age of the clients was (45.1±7.2) years. The main types of abused new psychoactive substances were benzodiazepine (62.3%, 66/106) and methamphetamine (39.6%, 42/106). The proportion of abusing multi new psychoactive substances was 8.5% (9/106). Results from multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis indicated that using opioid drug during the past 6 months of MMT treatment might increase the risk of abusing new psychoactive substances (OR=3.25, 95%CI: 1.35-7.79), benzodiazepine (OR=3.25, 95%CI: 1.11- 9.47) and methamphetamine (OR=13.31, 95%CI: 1.12-158.01). Moreover, MMT for more than9 years reduced the risk of abuse of new psychoactive substances (OR=0.03, 95%CI: 0.01-0.21), benzodiazepine (OR=0.02, 95%CI: 0.00-0.36) and methamphetamine (OR=0.02, 95%CI: 0.00-0.69). Conclusion: Less new psychoactive substances abuse might be associated with longer duration of MMT treatment. And inappropriate support from family and friends might increase the risk of abusing new psychoactive substances in MMT clients, especially in clients who used opioid.
Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; China/epidemiology* ; Drug Users/statistics & numerical data* ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Methadone/therapeutic use* ; Methamphetamine ; Middle Aged ; Opiate Substitution Treatment ; Prevalence ; Psychotropic Drugs/adverse effects* ; Substance Abuse Detection/statistics & numerical data* ; Substance Abuse Treatment Centers ; Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires