Addiction Research and Therapy

Biography

Biography: Arash Ghodousi

Abstract

Aims: This study aims to investigate the reasons for patient non-compliance against \"Iranian agonist therapy protocol\" among those admitted to addiction treatment centers of Isfahan, Iran. Material & Methods: In this descriptive analytic study, a validity and reliability approved researcher- designed questioner were used. 400 patients were selected randomly between the 204 private and governmental addiction treatment centers. Finally, 254 patient questionnaires were completed and the data was analyzed in three areas: Personal factors, social factors, and factors related to the protocol limitations. The data was analyzed using statistical tests. Ethical code was also established by the central committee. Results: All respondents were male with low education. Based on analytical study, the mean of results in all questions related to the personal and social factors (except two questions) is smaller than the hypothetical average (3) (α≤0.05) but the results in factors related to the limitations of the protocol are greater than the hypothetical average (3). Moreover, the results of t test for personal and social factors and factors related to the protocol limitations are greater than the critical value (1.95). Conclusion: This study showed that personal and social factors are not effective factors on non-compliance based on \"agonist therapy protocol\" (p=0.001). Among the examined factors, the protocol limitation including the difficulty of paying medical costs, mandatory frequent visits, and forgetting to do different parts of the program have more of an effect on non-compliance with agonist therapy protocol among patients admitted to addiction treatment centers. Other studies have shown that education along with family support helps lower non-compliance but if the program is complicated, non-compliance increases.