title: Predictors of retention in community-based methadone maintenance treatment program in Pearl River Delta, China.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aims were to identify predictors of treatment retention in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) clinics in Pearl River Delta, China.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective longitudinal study.
  
  
  METHODS
  6 MMT clinics in rural and urban area were selected.
  
  
  METHODS
  Stratified random sampling was employed, and the data were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and life table method. Protective or risk factors were explored using Cox's proportional hazards model. Independent variables were enrolled in univariate analysis and among which significant variables were analyzed by multivariate analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 2728 patients were enrolled. The median of the retention duration was 13.63 months, and the cumulative retention rates at 1,2,3 years were 53.0%, 35.0%, 20.0%, respectively. Multivariate Cox analysis showed: age, relationship with family, live on support from family or friends, income, considering treatment cost suitable, considering treatment open time suitable, addiction severity (daily expense for drug), communication with former drug taking peer, living in rural area, daily treatment dosage, sharing needles, re-admission and history of being arrested were predictors for MMT retention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MMT retention rate in Guangdong was low and treatment skills and quality should be improved. Meanwhile, participation of family and society should be encouraged.
authors.affiliation: Institute for AIDS Prevention and Control, Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Guangdong Province, 176 Xin'gang Road West, Guangzhou, 510300, China. fangyll@21cn.com
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Qun
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Qisui
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: Xiaobing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Yulan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Luo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012423:Rural Health; D012944:Social Support; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014504:Urban Health; D016903:Drug Monitoring
chemical_list: D009294:Narcotics; D008691:Methadone