Infectious Disease Screening for Drug Abuse Patients

Among drug users, rates of infectious diseases can be especially high. While drug users are specifically at a higher risk for diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, many others like tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases are also a risk.

Due to the increased risk of these diseases for drug users, drug treatment facilities are encouraged to include infectious disease screening for patients entering the facilities for treatment. Providing infectious disease screening, in addition to health education, provide an important service that protects treatment facility staff and the general public.

The National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS) is an annual census of substance abuse treatment facilities in the United States. Included in the N-SSATS is a measure of the facilities that provide on-site infectious disease screening for drug users.

In 2007, the N-SSATS reported 13,648 facilities participating in the census. Fewer than half of the responding facilities reported having on-site infectious disease screening available. Of those facilities that supported infectious disease screening, the most commonly reported types of screening were for HIV and tuberculosis.

25.3 percent of all treatment facilities provided screening for HIV. 56 percent provided education, counseling or support for HIV/AIDS. 49.8 percent provided general health education. Of the almost 4,000 treatment facilities that offered HIV screening, half also provided early HIV intervention.

Inpatient hospital environments were more likely than outpatient substance abuse clinics to offer screening for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, STDs or tuberculosis. Less than half of outpatient, non-hospital facilities screened for infectious diseases other than tuberculosis.

The role of government is important in drug users obtaining infectious disease screening. The most likely facilities to offer infectious drug screening were operated by the federal government, followed by those operated by a State government.

Opioid treatment programs offered a significantly higher rate of infectious disease screening than other types of facilities. Opioid use is highly associated with infectious diseases, and over half of the facilities specializing in opioid intervention offered screening for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, STDs and tuberculosis.

The availability of on-site screening at drug abuse treatment facilities for infectious diseases is very important for fighting the spread of HIV, hepatitis B and C and tuberculosis.

The data found in the N-SSATS provides information for treatment providers, prevention specialists and public health professionals about the offering of these critical services. The information provided in the N-SSATS helps treatment professionals continue to promote prevention and intervention of infectious diseases among the high-risk population of drug users.