TAILORING EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTIONS TO REDUCE METHAMPHETAMINE USE AMONG HIV-POSITIVE PATIENTS ON METHADONE IN HO CHI MINH, VIETNAM

This study evaluated the effectiveness of evidence-based intervention to reduce methamphetamine (MET) use among HIV-positive users in Ho Chi Minh. A total of 236 HIV-positive patients were screened, 71 (30.1%) met the inclusion criteria and 51 (71.8%) were enrolled. Of those enrolled, 49 completed 12 weeks of the intervention, most (?%) of whom used amphetamine-type substances at moderate or higher risk of dependence. The intervention reduced the rate of positive urine MET tests from 54.9% to 12.5%. Participants at intermediate risk for MET (93.1%) were significantly more likely to respond to positive behavior management during the first 6 weeks than participants at high-risk (6.9%, p=0.01). The responder group with positive behavioral management (n=29, 56.8%) received phone/SMS intervention during the latter six weeks of the study and were able to maintain negative urine drug tests. In the non-responder group (n=20), there was no significant difference between the group receiving the Matrix intervention and the group receiving the Matrix intervention in combination with positive behavior management. At the end of the study, 31% of responders and 35% of non-responders had viral loads below the detectable threshold. The results of the study suggest that an evidence-based intervention can reduce the MET use among HIV-positive methadone patients. More studies with larger sample size are needed to better evaluate the effectiveness of interventions as well as their feasibility for widespread adoption.