HIV/AIDS-related health services in substance abuse treatment programs.

Substance abuse is a risk factor for HIV infection. This study, part of protocol CTN-0012, describes the availability and types of HIV services offered in substance abuse programs participating in the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN). In a cross-sectional, descriptive, hypothesis-generating design, 269 of 319 treatment program administrators within the CTN provided information utilizing a standardized survey regarding program characteristics, patient characteristics, and availability of HIV services for 3 categories of patients: all patients, newly admitted patients, and HIV-infected patients. The range of HIV-related services provided on-site or via contractual arrangements varied from 10% (Pneumococcal vaccination) to 86% (drug testing) of the treatment programs. HIV antibody testing was provided by 57% of programs co-located in hospitals, medical schools and universities as compared to 35% of programs in family health or mental health facilities; 30% of free-standing addiction treatment agencies; and 50% of programs in other settings. Compared to programs without outpatient pharmacotherapy, programs providing outpatient pharmacotherapy provided a higher mean number of HIV-related health services for all patients, for newly admitted patients, and for HIV-infected patients. HIV-related services were significantly more available in programs where patients either engage in high risk sexual behaviors or are located in areas with higher HIV infection rates. In conclusion, co-location of HIV-related services and substance abuse programs are useful in containing these diseases, although there is great variability in the type of offered services.

Related protocols: CTN-0012