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Perceptions of methadone maintained clients about barriers and facilitators to help-seeking behavior
Adeline Nyamathi1, Donna McNeese Smith, Steven Shoptaw
1School of Nursing, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
Background:
Among substance users, health seeking remains a major challenge for which few data are available.
Objectives:
We sought to investigate the perceptions of methadone-maintained heroin users who are also problem or heavy drinkers, their barriers and facilitators to seeking help for substance and general and chronic care treatment.
Methods:
A qualitative design using a semistructured focus group approach was conducted with a convenience sample of 41 adult clients of a methadone maintenance facility in Los Angeles.
Results:
Findings revealed that discrimination was a major challenge experienced as a result of their methadone status. Lack of primary care providers, limited access to health care facilities and access barriers were pervasive. Focus group participants expressed a desire for nonjudgemental and empathetic care that would foster respect and facilitate help-seeking behaviors through a comprehensive support system.
Conclusions:
The need to design culturally relevant training programs was evident which included an integration of treatment, communication and societal issues.
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