HỌP BAN CỐ VẤN LẦN 3 NGHIÊN CỨU “ĐÁNH GIÁ HIỆU QUẢ CÁC MÔ HÌNH CAN THIỆP SÀNG LỌC, ĐIỀU TRỊ VÀ HỖ TRỢ SAU ĐIỀU TRỊ CHO BỆNH NHÂN ĐIỀU TRỊ METHADONE CÓ SỬ DỤNG METHAMPHETAMINE TẠI HÀ NỘI VÀ TP HCM”

On November 8, 2023, Center for Training and Research on Substance Abuse and HIV, Hanoi University of Medicine, organized the third advisory board meeting for the study “Screen, treat, test and retain meth-using people with opioid use disorders at methadone clinics in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city”. The purpose of the meeting was to update the implementation status and research results, with the aim of proposing the publication of articles and new research ideas in the near future.

The meeting was chaired by  Prof. Le Minh Giang, the principal investigator of the project, along with coordinators and research teams from various institutions such as Prof. Steven Shoptaw, Prof. Li Li, Dr. Michael Li (University of California, Los Angeles, USA); Prof. Nguyen Van Dung, Prof. Thai Thanh Truc (Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy) … Additionally, the meeting saw the participation of Prof. Garvin Bart (University of Minnesota Medical School, USA); MD. Vo Hai Son, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Administration of HIV/AIDS Control (Ministry of Health).

At the meeting, the research data team presented an overview of patient recruitment, patient retention rates throughout the study stages, and preliminary results. With the successful screening of the majority of patients in methadone treatment facilities within the research area, this outcome provides a comprehensive insight into the risk level of methamphetamine use within this patient group. Additionally, interventions employed in the study, such as motivational interviewing, cognitive management, group education, Matrix, and SMS, have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing the frequency and rate of methamphetamine use. Consequently, the research team proposed prioritized and effective interventions for this patient group.

Regarding to the initial research data, the research team, along with experts from various institutions, engaged in discussions and reached a consensus on publishing several articles both domestically and internationally. They also brainstormed new research directions, identifying approaches to transfer research results into practical applications. This collaborative effort aimed at disseminating findings and fostering the implementation of research outcomes into practice.

At present, the research is in the final stage of intervention and data collection activities. In the upcoming period, the research teams at Hanoi Medical University and Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy will continue to collect, refine, and clean the research data. At the end of the meeting, Prof. Le Minh Giang summarized the proposals and outlined the necessary actions in the coming time to ensure the quality of the research and provide direction for future studies.