title: Who drops out of drug-user treatment research on women?
abstract: Attrition or dropping out is an important methodological issue in drug-user treatment research. The purpose of this study was to describe and explain the degree of subject attrition-more specifically, postinclusion attrition-within the context of a research demonstration project which focused on a women's sensitive approach to drug-user treatment. Demographic variables, psychosocial outcome measures, and two treatment variables were examined as possible predictors of attrition from research participation. Findings showed attrition rates increased from admission, peaked at 3-month follow-up, and then declined substantially by the 12-month follow-up period. A logistic regression analysis showed only treatment discharge status to significantly predict subject attrition.
authors.affiliation: University of Southern California School of Social Work, Los Angeles 90089-0411, USA. bob@sowk.usc.edu
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Nishimoto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D013997:Time Factors; D016387:Women's Health