| Summary: | 碩士 === 高雄醫學大學 === 醫學系神經學科碩士班 === 100 === Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) is an effective harm reduction treatment method for heroin-dependent individuals. Duration of retention in MMT is a predictor of treatment outcomes. The aims of this study were to examine the duration of retention in MMT and to identify the predictors for duration of retention in MMT among heroin-dependent individuals in southern Taiwan.
The current study used the secondary data for analysis. Primary data was gathered from three MMT units in southern Taiwan. The sample consisted of 368 heroin-dependent individuals who were investigated at baseline and followed during the treatment period. The duration of retention in MMT (in days) was the main outcome of the study. The predictor variables were categorized into client characteristics, family support and methadone dose after 3 months of admission. The study used Kaplan-Meier product-limit method to analyze retention rate in the MMT program, and used Cox proportional hazard regression and logistic regression to examine the predictors for drop-out from the MMT program.
The results found that cumulative probability of retention at 360-days and 540-days were 41.6% and 31.3%, respectively. However, if the involuntary dropouts were excluded, cumulative probability of retention at 360-days and 540-days were 47.1% and 39.5%, respectively. Among pre-treatment variables, the predictors for drop-out from MMT program included: higher heroin cost, higher severity of harm caused by heroin use, and poorer family support. If the methadone dose was included in the regression model, methadone dose <50mg and higher severity of harm caused by heroin use were the significant predictor variables for drop-out. Implications for treatment were discussed.
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