Public stigma and treatment preferences for alcohol use disorders

BMC Health Services Research

Research

Anna Mejldal¹  Sara Wallhed Finn²  Anette Søgaard Nielsen³ 

[1]Unit of Clinical Alcohol Research, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 20, Entrance. 220 B, 5000, Odense, Denmark

[2]Unit of Clinical Alcohol Research, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 20, Entrance. 220 B, 5000, Odense, Denmark

[3]Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

[4]Unit of Clinical Alcohol Research, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 20, Entrance. 220 B, 5000, Odense, Denmark

[5]Psychiatric Hospital, University Function, Region of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark

关键词: Alcohol use disorders;    Europe;    health care;    treatment-seeking;    stigma;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12913-023-09037-y

 received in 2022-08-01, accepted in 2023-01-04,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundAlcohol use disorders (AUD) are among the most highly stigmatized medical conditions. Only a minority of individuals with AUD seek treatment, and stigma is one of the most prominent barriers to treatment-seeking. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the associations between stigma and preferences for help-seeking, and the associations between stigma and preferences for treatment seeking.Aimto investigate the associations between stigma and preferences for where to seek help and treatment for AUD. As sub-analyses, associations between stigma, level of alcohol use and preferences for help-seeking and treatment preferences will be analyzed.MethodCross-sectional design, including n = 3037 participants aged 30 – 65 years, living in Denmark. Data: In 2020, an online questionnaire was administered by a market research company. The questionnaire covered demographics, preferences for help-seeking and treatment for AUD, stigma measured with the Difference, Disdain & Blame Scales for Public Stigma, and alcohol use measured with the Alcohol Use Disorder Test (AUDIT). Analyses: restricted cubic spline models were applied to model outcomes. Odds ratios were calculated.ResultsA lower level of stigma was associated with a higher probability of preferring formal and informal help-seeking for AUD. Both high and low levels of stigma were associated with a higher probability of preferring to consult general practitioners. Stigma was not associated with other preferences for treatment-seeking, nor trying to change oneself or a passive strategy. The sub-analyses, grouped by level of alcohol use, showed similar results.ConclusionStigma is associated with lower preferences for formal and informal help-seeking, however not type of treatment preferred. Future studies should address stigma in relation to other factors of the treatment-seeking process.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2023

【 图 表 】

41116_2022_35_Article_IEq220.gif

41116_2022_35_Article_IEq213.gif

41116_2022_35_Article_IEq208.gif

41116_2022_35_Article_IEq199.gif

Fig. 44