ArticleThe International journal on drug policy2016
Improvements in health-related quality of life among methadone maintenance clients in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Article in The International journal on drug policy, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 19 papers.
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Who cites it
19 citing papers in PubMed, 36 citations in OpenAlex.
- Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy of a Pilot Study To Integrate Buprenorphine into a Harm-reduction Drop-in-Center in Kampala, Uganda.AIDS and behavior · 2026Article
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- Impact of scaling up harm reduction interventions on injecting risk behaviours, ART outcomes and HIV incidence among people who inject drugs in Kenya.The International journal on drug policy · 2025Article
- Exploring perceptions of the services offered in Tanzanian sober houses: a mixed- methods study among service users and providers.BMC health services research · 2025Article
- Depression and its associated factors among people who use drugs attending the Methadone Treatment Clinic at Tumbi Hospital in Pwani, Tanzania: A cross-sectional study.PLOS mental health · 2025Article
- The burden of unlawful use of opioid and associated epidemiological characteristics in Africa: A scoping review.PloS one · 2025Article
- Risk factors for poor treatment outcomes among opioid-dependent clients taking methadone in Mombasa, Kenya.Advances in drug and alcohol research · 2024Article
- Economic, social, and clinic influences on opioid treatment program retention in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: a qualitative study.Addiction science & clinical practice · 2023Article
- Patient-reported outcomes with direct-acting antiviral treatment for hepatitis C in West and Central Africa (TAC ANRS 12311 trial).JHEP reports : innovation in hepatology · 2023Article
- Quality-adjusted life years among people who inject drugs in a needle syringe program in Sweden.Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation · 2023Article
- The Role of Context in Integrating Buprenorphine into a Drop-In Center in Kampala, Uganda, Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Article
- Quality of life and its correlated factors among patients with substance use disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Archives of public health = Archives belges de sante publique · 2022Article
- The prevalence and pattern of cannabis use among patients attending a methadone treatment clinic in Nairobi, Kenya.Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy · 2022Article
- A social worker intervention to reduce post-hospital mortality in HIV-infected adults in Tanzania (Daraja): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.Contemporary clinical trials · 2022Article
- Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus infection, anti-HCV antibodies and HIV and knowledge among people who use drugs attending methadone therapy clinic in Tanzania; a cross-sectional study.BMC infectious diseases · 2021Article
- Effectiveness of health care workers and peer engagement in promoting access to health services among population at higher risk for HIV in Tanzania (KPHEALTH): study protocol for a quasi experimental trial.BMC health services research · 2019Article
- The Opioid Epidemic in Africa And Its Impact.Current addiction reports · 2018Article
- The becoming of methadone in Kenya: How an intervention's implementation constitutes recovery potential.Social science & medicine (1982) · 2018Article
- Health Related Quality of Life in Individuals Transferred from a Needle Exchange Program and Starting Opioid Agonist Treatment.Journal of addiction · 2018Article
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Authors and funding
9 authors at 6 institutions in 2 countries.
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Abstract
backgroundInjection of heroin has become widespread in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and is spreading throughout the country. To prevent potential bridging of HIV epidemics, the Tanzanian government established a methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) clinic in February 2011. We assess the effect of MMT on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and examine factors, particularly HIV infection and methadone dose, associated with changes in HRQOL.
methodsThis study utilized routine data on clients enrolling in methadone from February 2011 to April 2012 at Muhimbili National Hospital. Change in physical (PCS) and mental health (MCS) composite scores, as measured by the SF-12 tool, were the primary outcomes. Backward stepwise linear regression, with a criterion of p<0.2 was used to identify baseline exposure variables for inclusion in multivariable models, while adjusting for baseline scores.
resultsA total of 288 MMT clients received baseline and follow-up assessments. Mean methadone dose administered was 45mg (SD±25) and 76 (27%) were confirmed HIV-positive. Significant improvements were observed in PCS and MCS, with mean increases of 15.7 and 3.3, respectively. In multivariable models, clients who had previous poly-substance use with cocaine [p=0.040] had a significantly higher mean change in PCS. Clients who were living with HIV [p=0.002]; satisfied with current marital situation [p=0.045]; had a history of suicidal thoughts [p=0.021]; and previously experienced cognitive difficulties [p=0.012] had significantly lower mean change in PCS. Clients with shorter history of heroin use [p=0.012] and who received higher methadone doses [p=0.028] had significantly higher mean change in MCS, compared to their counterparts.
conclusionAspects of mental and physical health, risk behaviors and quality of life among drug users are intertwined and complex. Our research revealed positive short-term effects of MMT on HRQOL and highlights the importance of sustained retention for optimal benefits. Comprehensive supportive services in addition to provision of methadone are needed to address the complex health needs of people who inject drugs.
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