Predictors of Inpatient Treatment Completion among Females with Opioid Use Disorder: Findings from a Tertiary Care Drug Dependence Treatment Centre of India

INTRODUCTION: Studies have reported that females who drop out prematurely from inpatient treatment have poor treatment outcome. However, literature from India is limited in this regard. METHODS: We reviewed case records of female patients admitted with opioid use disorder at NDDTC, Ghaziabad between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2012 to study the predictors of inpatient treatment completion among female patients with opioid use disorder in relation to their sociodemographic and clinical profile. RESULTS: Over the 5 years, 72 female patients were admitted with opioid dependence. During the study period, out of 72 patients, 44 (61.1%) were inpatient treatment completers and 28 (38.9%) were noncompleters. Mean length of ward stay was 5.1 ± 3.8 days and 16.2 ± 11.8 days for inpatient treatment noncompleters and completers, respectively, the difference being statistically significant (t = 4.845, P < 0.001). The multivariable analysis (adjusted for selected demographic characteristics as marital status, education, and employment) revealed that most women taking drug for relief from pain, having medical morbidity, and onset of opioids at age 25 years or more had a significantly greater likelihood for being treatment completers. CONCLUSION: Certain factors can help in identification of women opioid users who are at risk of leaving the treatment.