HIV screening and counseling for intravenous drug abuse patients. Staff and patient attitudes
J. L. Curtis, F. C. Crummey, S. N. Baker, R. E. Foster, C. S. Khanyile and R. Wilkins
Department of Psychiatry and Substance Abuse Services, Harlem Hospital Center, New York, NY 10037.
At least one third of patients enrolled in a methadone maintenance
treatment program are willing to comply voluntarily with screening for and
counseling about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A questionnaire about
knowledge, attitudes, and behavior concerning acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome was answered anonymously by 79% (46) of the clinical staff and 67%
(868) of the enrolled patients. On their own initiative, 21% of the
patients had already received voluntary anonymous HIV screening and brief
counseling, seldom discussing the result with the staff. Approximately 90%
of the staff and a majority of the patients (72%) thought a voluntary HIV
screening program should be offered to all patients. Almost all staff
(98%), but only 50% of the patients, felt the HIV test results should be
known to physicians, nurses, and counselors at the clinic. Few staff
members (15%) believed that patients had changed their sex behavior; more
(48%) felt that needle sharing was reduced. Patients believed methadone
patients in general had changed their sex behavior (49.2%) and reduced
needle sharing (62%) to prevent becoming infected. Patients reported
statistically significant reductions both in number of sex partners and in
personal needle sharing during the past year.
