The Relationship Between Health Literacy and Motivation for Methadone Maintenance Treatment among People with Substance Use Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study

Authors

  • Rahman Panahi Health Metrics Research Centre, Iranian Institute for Health Sciences Research, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
  • Keyhan Javanmardi MS.C. in clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Kurdistan University, Sanandaj, Iran
  • Mohammad Hadi Sarvari Instructor of Critical Care Nursing, Department of Nursing, Qaen Faculty of Medical Sciences, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
  • Samira Ghayoumi Aval Noughabi Department of Anesthesia, Qaen Faculty of Medical Sciences, Student Research Committee, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18502/ijre.v22i2.22726

Keywords:

Motivation, Methadone maintenance treatment, Health literacy, People with substance use disorders, Addiction treatment centers

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Health literacy (HL) has an impact on the level of addiction. On the other hand, methadone maintenance treatment is one of the most widely used treatments for opioid use disorder. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the relationship between motivations for methadone maintenance treatment and HL in people with substance use disorders.

Methods: In a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study, 230 eligible individuals with substance use disorders referring to addiction treatment centers in Qayenat city were recruited in 2024–2025 through one-stage cluster sampling. Data collection tools included demographic and background characteristics, the HL of Iranian Adults (HELIA) questionnaire, and a questionnaire to measure motivations for methadone maintenance treatment. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 and descriptive statistics and logistic regression.

Results: Education level (P=0.021, CI=1.218-3.101, OR=2.124), use of psychotropic drugs, tramadol and Ritalin (P=0.015, CI=1.019-1.791, OR=1.371), and amount of substance used (P=0.013, CI=1.196-2.057, OR=1.458) were significantly associated with motivation for methadone maintenance treatment. Furthermore, compared with individuals with inadequate health literacy, the odds of having a desirable level of motivation for methadone maintenance treatment were 1.249 times higher among those with problematic health literacy (95% CI: 1.139–1.478, P=0.011), 2.336 times higher among those with sufficient health literacy (95% CI: 1.131–3.457, P=0.009), and 3.115 times higher among those with excellent health literacy (95% CI: 1.128–5.134, P=0.004).

Conclusion: Given the moderate level of motivation for methadone maintenance treatment, its promotion should be a priority for health policymakers and addiction treatment center officials. In designing and implementing educational programs to promote it, special attention should be paid to addicts with the following characteristics: education level below diploma, no use of psychotropic drugs, tramadol, and Ritalin, low drug use, and insufficient HL.

Published

2026-09-20

Issue

Volume (22) issue (2)

Section

Articles