Citation

Zhong BL, Xu YM, Zhu JH, Liu XJ. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2018; 189: 161-165.

Affiliation

Wuhan Mental Health Center (The Ninth Clinical School), Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 89 Gongnongbing Rd., Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Electronic address: yulongguowang@126.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.05.006

PMID

29957566

Abstract

BACKGROUND: To date, there have been no studies examining non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in Chinese heroin-dependent patients (HDPs) receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). This study determined the prevalence of NSSI and its methods in HDPs under MMT as well as factors significantly associated with NSSI.

METHOD: We recruited a cross-sectional sample of 652 HDPs from three MMT clinics in Wuhan, China. In total, 603 HDPs (92.5%) completed standardized questionnaires concerning demographic, clinical, and psychosocial data. The presence and methods of NSSI were assessed with two standardized questions.

RESULTS: The one-month prevalence of NSSI in Chinese HDPs receiving MMT was 13.8%. The most common three methods of NSSI were burning (59%), cutting (19.3%), and hitting (9.6%). Significant factors associated with NSSI in multiple logistic regression analysis were unemployment (OR [95%CI] = 2.54 [1.26, 5.10], P = 0.009), a short duration of MMT (OR [95%CI] = 1.04 [1.01, 1.09], P = 0.034), pain (OR [95%CI] = 2.31 [1.05, 5.35], P = 0.028), depression (OR [95%CI] = 4.32 [2.09, 9.00], P < 0.001), anxiety (OR [95%CI] = 3.74 [1.61, 8.70], P = 0.002), and loneliness (OR [95%CI] = 3.04 [1.27, 7.26], P = 0.012).

CONCLUSIONS: NSSI is common among Chinese HDPs of MMT clinics. Services for HDPs in MMT settings should include periodic screening for NSSI, adequate pain treatment, and appropriate psychosocial treatment for depression, anxiety, and loneliness.

Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Epidemiology; Heroin dependence; Methadone; Non-suicidal self-injury