title: Participant- and study-related characteristics predicting treatment completion and study retention in an adolescent smoking cessation trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine which factors predict smoking cessation treatment completion and retention among adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a multisite, randomized, controlled trial, the efficacy of motivational interviewing was compared with structured brief advice for smoking cessation and reduction in adolescents (n = 355) aged 14-18 years (55% female, 45% black, 12% Hispanic). Treatment spanned 12 weeks, with follow-up assessments at 24 weeks. Treatment completion was defined as completion of all five counseling sessions. Study retention was defined as completing the 24-week assessment. Participant and study variables served as predictors of treatment completion and retention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 79% of participants completed all five counseling sessions and the same percent completed the 24-week assessment. Black race, precontemplation stage to cut back, and shorter length of time between the baseline assessment and the first counseling session were significantly associated with treatment completion. For every 7.5-day delay in starting treatment after the baseline visit, there was a 50% decrease in the odds of completing all five treatment sessions. Retention at 24 weeks was predicted by black race, younger age, greater maternal education, expectations of graduating college, and structured brief advice intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High rates of treatment completion and study retention can be achieved in a multisession, behavioral intervention for adolescent smoking cessation. Findings suggest that treatment should begin soon after the intake session to maximize treatment completion. Enhanced efforts to retain older adolescents and youth with lower academic goals and lower family income will be important in future studies.
authors.affiliation: Adolescent Medicine, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, Pennsylvania 18104, USA.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kalkhuis-Beam
authors.forename: Sarah L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: Agnieshka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baumritter
authors.forename: Elyse C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Carlson
authors.forename: Jonathan R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Pletcher
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Audrain-McGovern
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010414:Pennsylvania / Q000453:epidemiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000208:ethnology / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors