A multilevel analysis of regional and individual effects on methadone maintenance treatment in Taiwan
Journal
Value in Health
Journal Volume
15
Journal Issue
1 SUPPL.
Date Issued
2012
Author(s)
Abstract
Objective: This study evaluated the direct and interactive effects of regional-level and individual-level characteristics on methadone maintenance treatment (MMT), after considering the individual characteristics in Taiwan. Methods: This study utilized a survey research method. Opioid-dependent patients who participated in the outpatient MMT program in 2009 and met the eligibility criteria were recruited from five hospitals. The impact of MMT on self-perceived health was assessed by using questionnaires. This study assessed the participants' quality of life and treatment outcomes during 3-month follow-up visits, before evaluating the direct effects of regional and individual characteristics. Multilevel linear models were used to estimate whether regional levels influenced individual behavior and treatment outcomes. Results: Three hundred thirty-four opioid-dependent patients agreed to participate in this study. After the follow-up period, 127 participants completed the study (completion rate = 38%). Participants receiving MMT demonstrated significant improvements in psychological state, HIV risk-taking behavior, social functioning, and health. Regional characteristics, such as the lower than junior high school rate, low-income family rate, and related crime rates, of the study regions were negatively associated with improvements in drug abuse behavior. Conclusions: This study shows that MMT can significantly improve the HIV risk-taking behavior and health of the study participants. Disadvantaged regions, however, exhibit poor treatment outcomes. This study suggests actions to minimize the treatment variations between regions. © 2012 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR).
Subjects
methadone maintenance treatment; multilevel analysis; neighborhood disadvantage; treatment outcome
Other Subjects
methadone; adult; conference paper; crime; drug abuse; drug effect; educational status; female; follow up; health status; high risk behavior; human; income; maintenance therapy; major clinical study; male; methadone maintenance treatment; multilevel analysis; opiate addiction; patient compliance; priority journal; quality of life; questionnaire; social interaction; Taiwan; treatment outcome; Adult; Female; Health Status; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Male; Mental Health; Methadone; Middle Aged; Narcotics; Opiate Substitution Treatment; Opioid-Related Disorders; Risk-Taking; Sexual Behavior; Socioeconomic Factors; Taiwan
Type
journal article