Gypsies and drug addictions. Study of the adherence to treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the retention in a Naltrexone Maintenance Programme (NMP) between a gipsy and a 'paya' (non-gypsy) population in the province of Alava (Basque Country, Spain).


OBJECTIVE
The exposure factor 'to be a gypsy' is no different from the factor 'to be "payo" (non-gypsy)' with regard to the response in the continuation of treatment with opiate antagonists.


METHODS
Based on a retrospective follow-up study, two cohorts were considered based on the ethnic group to which one belonged. The cohort of gypsies was made up of 52 cases, for whom by means of a matching process 52 'payo' (non-gypsy) subjects were selected to form the other cohort. The matching variables were age, sex, the family support, and HIV+ status. After a period of detoxification, all the subjects participated in a NMP and the retention in this programme was evaluated.


RESULTS
The survival analysis showed a continuation probability that was higher for the non-gypsy group than for the gypsy group, even though the differences were not significant but they did show a tendency (p < 0.06). The post- hoc tests showed differences between the continuations shown by both cohorts between 4 and 8 weeks, with this not being observed at other times. A subsequent proportional risks regression analysis showed a strong influence of the previous treatments variable, the effect of which was greater in the gypsy group, with this finally causing a correction in the continuation curves that reduced the differences.


CONCLUSIONS
The results are discussed with regard to the context of the gypsy ethnic group, and suggestions are made with regard to the need for establishing preventive and informative measures that manage to reach the idiosyncrasy of the gypsy culture.
Iraurgi
I
I
Módulo de Asistencia Psicosocial de Rekalde, Osakidetza - Servicio Vasco de Salud, Spain. iraurgi@euskzlnet.net
Jiménez-Lerma
J M
JM
Landabaso
M A
MA
Arrazola
X
X
Gutiérrez-Fraile
M
M
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D006178:Romani People / Q000523:psychology*; D013030:Spain
D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009271:Naltrexone