Predictors of Retention in a Clinical Trial of a Fentanyl Overdose Prevention Intervention

Implications for Supporting Participants’ Retention in Harm Reduction Research

Bibliographic Data

ID21646200
AuthorsJacqueline E Goldman (Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health), Carolyn J Park (0000-0002-0877-2959, Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health), Leah C Shaw (0000-0002-9033-667X, Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health), Julia E Noguchi (0000-0002-8672-3263, Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health), Scott E Hadland (0000-0003-3189-6199, Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Mass General for Children), Brandon D L Marshall (0000-0002-0134-7052, Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume61
Issue5
Pages645-654
Publication date2026-04-16
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueSubstance Use & Misuse (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1082-6084 • E-ISSN: 1532-2491
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10826084.2025.2570496
PMID41124052
OpenAlexW4415435449
LanguageEN
References cited60

BACKGROUND: Structural barriers can pose challenges to retaining people who use drugs in longitudinal research. This study assessed baseline characteristics associated with retention in a year-long clinical trial addressing whether fentanyl test strip provision decreased rates of nonfatal overdose among people who use drugs. METHODS: From September 2020 to February 2023, 505 participants enrolled in the year-long RAPIDS clinical trial. Outcome visits were completed at 6 and 12 months following enrollment. Bivariable and multivariable analyses were conducted to assess baseline characteristics associated with the completion of none, one, or both study outcome assessments. We used multinomial logistic regression to identify statistically significant baseline predictors of retention in the RAPIDS trial. RESULTS: = 177) completed both. In the final multinomial logistic regression model, women were more likely to complete both outcome visits compared to men (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.08-2.62), while participants with a history of drug selling were less likely to complete two visits (AOR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.39-0.98). CONCLUSIONS: Study results challenge stigmatizing beliefs about the impact of sociodemographic and drug use-related characteristics on retention in longitudinal research. Retention strategies that target men and people who sell drugs are needed. Investigators can collect multiple pieces of contact information, have monthly check-ins with participants, and partner with community organizations to make research more accessible and acceptable to structurally vulnerable populations

Clinical research · Clinical trial · Drug · Drug overdose · Fentanyl · Harm · Harm reduction · Opioid overdose · Ethics in Clinical Research · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · Opioid Use Disorder Treatment

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