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Table 1 Characteristics of sample population compared to other samples of patients attending for methadone/addiction treatment in Ireland.

From: Prevalence of problem alcohol use among patients attending primary care for methadone treatment

Variable

 

This study

Patients attending GPs for methadone treatment (Barry, Personal Communication, 2005)

Patients attending general practice for methadone treatment[23, 24]

All patients attending for problem drug use treatment in Ireland[14]

Demographics

% male

68%

68%

72%

71%

 

% employed

45%

NA

NA

25.8%

 

% homeless

2%

NA

NA

3%

 

Median age at time of study (range)

32(20–55)

32(18–62)

28*

25.8(17.2–40.7)

 

Median age of first heroin use (range)

18(13–52)

NA

NA

NA

 

Median age of first injecting drug use

19(13–39)

NA

19.4*

19(15–28)

Bloodborne virus infections

% (of those tested) who were known to be HCV positive

55

NA

73

NA

 

% (of those tested) who were known to be HIV positive

5

NA

9

NA

Geographical location of practice by health region

East Coast Area

38(30%)

333(13%)

NA

NA

 

Northern Area

39(18%)

751(29%)

NA

NA

 

South West Area

115(45%)

1325(51%)

NA

NA

 

Rest of Ireland

4(11%)

197(8%)

NA

NA

  1. NA: Data not available/not reported.
  2. * indicates mean value as median not reported.