Abstract
BackgroundMedication adherence is essential to achieve successful methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). However, treatment adherence among MMT patients in the mountainous setting in Vietnam has not been yet investigated. This study aimed to explore the medication adherence and associated factors in MMT patients in Tuyen Quang, a mountainous province.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in two MMT clinics namely Tuyen Quang and Son Duong. Convenience sampling method was used to recruit patients. Adherence to MMT was assessed by using three questions: 1) number of days that they missed doses in the last 4 days; 2) whether they missed doses during the last weekend and 3) when they missed a dose within the last 3 months. Adherence was considered optimal if patients reported ‘no’ to three questions. Socioeconomic status, health status (measured by EuroQol-5 Dimensions – 5 Levels – EQ5D5L and Visual analogue scale – VAS), substance use and abuse and methods to support adherence were also collected.ResultsAmong 241 patients, 34.4% reported optimal adherence. Self-help was the most popular (89.2%) method used to support adherence. Risk factors of missing doses and suboptimal adherence included higher education and economic status; being a worker/farmer; longer duration of treatment; and suffering pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression. Protective factors were older age, having problems in usual activities/self-care, higher EQ-VAS and EQ-5D index; and reminded by mobile phone and family members.ConclusionsThis study found a high sub-optimal adherence rate among MMT patients in a mountainous setting in Vietnam. Measuring adherence by using several simple items could be used periodically to monitor the treatment adherence in the clinical setting. Family and mobile phone support would have a potential role in supporting patients to adhere treatment.
Highlights
Medication adherence is essential to achieve successful methadone maintenance treatment (MMT)
Low socioeconomic status, polysubstance abuse, deficient methadone dose, long distance to MMT clinics and being dissatisfied with MMT services are found to be associated with non-adherence among MMT patients [8, 12,13,14, 16]
Previous work conducted in two Vietnamese metropolitans suggests the increasing nonadherence overtime, but this study did not identify the determinants of non-adherence [15]
Summary
Medication adherence is essential to achieve successful methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). The lowest proportion of non-adherence is observed in America countries with only 17% in the United States and 15.5% in Canada [10, 11]. This rate is much higher in other regions. Low socioeconomic status, polysubstance abuse (e.g. alcohol and drug use), deficient methadone dose, long distance to MMT clinics and being dissatisfied with MMT services are found to be associated with non-adherence among MMT patients [8, 12,13,14, 16]. To increase the effectiveness of MMT program, it is necessary to measure treatment adherence as well as associated factors, which may help policy makers and program managers to provide timely and tailored solutions for each patient
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
