Factors associated with attrition rate in a supportive care service for substance using pregnant women in Brazil

Background and Objectives: Retaining substance using women in antenatal care remains a major challenge. This study explored factors associated with attrition rate among women with substance use problems attending a supportive care service during pregnancy and soon after the birth of the infant. Methods: Records of 166 women's antenatal consultations were analyzed. Results: Attrition rate was high (75/166, 45.2%), and was associated with women having no schooling/primary schooling only, no family contact, having child(ren), crack-cocaine use, poly drug use, and substance use problems by the expected child's father. Discussion and Conclusions: Attrition may be the outcome of socio-demographic, family, individual, and substance use issues not fully addressed in prenatal interventions. Scientific Significance: Identification of who are at risk for dropping out affords services with an opportunity to prevent its occurrence. (Am J Addict 2017;26:676–679).