HIV and hepatitis C virus test uptake at methadone clinics in Southern China: opportunities for expanding detection of bloodborne infections.

Background: HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) co-infection is highly common among Chinese injection drug users but it is difficult to reach IDUs at traditional VCT (Voluntary HIV counseling treatment) clinics. A new national model integrating HIV/HCV testing with methadone maintenance treatment was started in 2006. The purpose of this study was to investigate HIV and HCV test uptake and associated factors at methadone clinics in Guangdong Province, China.

HIV and hepatitis C virus testing delays at methadone clinics in Guangdong Province, China.

In China, injection drug use is a major transmission route for HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Timely HIV and HCV testing among drug users is vital to earlier diagnosis, linkage to care, and retention. This study aimed to examine HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing delays at methadone clinics in Guangdong Province, China, and identify individual-level and clinic-level factors associated with delayed testing.

[Predictors of retention related factors at the initial methadone maintenance treatment clinics in Guangdong province].

Objective: To identify predictors of treatment retention problems at the two initial methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) clinics in Guangdong province, and to provide reference in reducing the rate of drop-outs.

Methods: All of the patients were investigated at baseline and followed during the treatment period. Kaplan-Meier method on Survival Analysis was used to analyze retention related factors and predictors.