Factors associated with psychiatric treatment dropout in a mental health reference center, Belo Horizonte

To characterize an outpatient public referral center for mental health and to assess factors associated with treatment dropout.

A non-concurrent prospective study was undertaken to review 295 patient files. Patients, whose first consultation took place between January and December 1997, were followed-up for at least four months until April 1998. Patients were considered as having abandoned their treatment when, following a recommendation for at least a second visit, they did not return within four months after the first consultation. Social, demographic and clinical variables were compared to verify possible factors associated with dropout of treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using relative hazard (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) estimated by the Cox Regression Model.

Cumulative incidence of treatment dropout was 39.2% while multivariate analysis indicated that the following characteristics were statistically associated with treatment interruption: to live outside the referral area (RR = 1.95), no history of previous psychiatric hospitalizations (RR = 1.88), alcohol or drug use at admission (RR = 1.72), spontaneous demand to the service (RR = 2.12), lack of bus-passes (RR = 3.68) and to have less than four clinical appointments (RR = 7.31).

Our findings suggest that services should be aware of the high incidence of treatment interruption, especially among those with no history of previous psychiatric hospitalizations and with less institutional bonds. This may indicate that mental health services should develop and implement public policies targeted at this population.