Correlates of adherence with transdermal nicotine

This correlational study examined the adherence rates of transdermal nicotine (TN) use among a population of males and females 18 years of age and older (N= 619) who received varying levels of behavioral intervention. Rates of patch adherence were assessed for demographic (e.g., gender, ethnicity, and age), income-, smoking- [e.g., baseline carbon monoxide (CO), nicotine dependence, and follow-up quit status], and treatment-related (e.g., condition, and drop status) variables. Loglinear and logistic regression analyses were performed to assess adherence rates. Results indicated that male gender [X-2 (2, n = 485) = 20.39, P= .038], not dropping out of the study [X-2 (2, n = 485) = 13.94, P < .001], and intensive treatment (compared to the standard care) [X-2(4, n = 485) = 14.96, P= .005] were associated with greater adherence to TN. Furthermore, patch adherence was associated with quit status at 6 months (OR= 2.47, CI= 1.56 - 3.91, P < .001) and 12 months (OR=2.12, CI= 1.34 - 3.37, P= .001). Complete and partial patch adherence (compared to minimal/no adherence) were associated with a greater number of telephone intervention contacts completed (OR=2.621, CI = 1.421 - 4.832, P= .002). Noteworthy however, was the lack of association between level of income and patch adherence. These findings suggest characteristics of those more and less likely to adhere to TN in research and clinical settings. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.