Adherence to Methadone Maintenance Treatment and its Predictors in Southeast of Iran

Abstract

Background & Objectives: Adherence to Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) is one of the most important challenges during treatment process. The positive effects of MMT will be established in case of appropriate adherence. Present study aimed to investigate MMT adherence and its predictors among addicts referred to rehab centers in Kerman province, south east of Iran. Methods: This research was carried out on 334 patients referred to rehab centers in Kerman province during 2017. Participants were selected through multistage random sampling method. Data collected using a questionnaire contained demographic data, addiction- related data and Persian version of MMT adherence questionnaire which assessed the adherence during the previous 3 and 30 days. Data analyzed by SPSS 19. Results: The mean age of the participants was 39.14 ± 10.93 years and most of them were male (85%). Seventy-three (21.8%) adhered to their treatment, 239 (71.6%) were nonadherent, and 22 (6.6%) highly nonadherent. Older age at the onset of addiction, longer duration of substance abuse, and no history of previous MMT were significant predictor for higher adherence. Interpretation & Conclusion: our study revealed about on fifth of addicts referred to rehab centers had good adherence to MMT. It is recommended the rehab centers to determine the factors associated with low adherence and use effective interventions to reduce them.