فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

Background: In this study, we examined the patient preferences for the treatment of opioid use disorders, the factors determining these preferences, and the barriers faced while seeking treatment for opioid use disorders.Methods: The participants were recruited from both outpatient and inpatient services of a tertiary care centre, and the consenting adults seeking treatment for opioid use disorder were included through purposive sampling. Information on all treatment modalities for opioid use disorders was presented through a video, followed by clarifications. The options included naltrexone (oral, depot, and implant), buprenorphine (sublingual and injection), methadone, tramadol, counselling/psychotherapy, long-term residential treatment, Narcotics Anonymous meetings, and no treatment. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect responses, and descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.Findings: Participants (n = 150) had a median age of 31 years, and were all male. Most (90%) were visiting the treatment centre from other districts, with a median travel time of two hours to reach the centre. Sublingual buprenorphine (41.3%) was the preferred option, followed by oral tramadol (33.3%). The treatment outcomes (77.3%), followed by logistic reasons (14.7%), were the major determining factors for choosing a treatment option. Frequent dispensing schedules (54%) and unavailability of medication near their residence (25.3%) were the major barriers to seeking long-term care.Conclusion: There was a greater preference for oral opioid agonist medication over all other formulations. A wider availability of medications for opioid agonist maintenance treatment could improve treatment-seeking rates. Further research on treatment preference could include diverse patient groups, caregivers, and treatment providers.