Katherine Sorsdahl|Dan J. Stein|Bronwyn Myers
Negative attributions towards people with substance use disorders in South Africa: Variation across substances and by gender
Groote Schuur Hospital|University of Cape Town|Groote Schuur Hospital|University of Cape Town|South African Medical Research Council|Groote Schuur Hospital|University of Cape Town
little research examined attitudes towards people use substances low middle income countries lmic therefore present study examined attributions made general south african population people use substances whether attributions differ type substance used gender person using substance characteristics person making attributiona convenience sample 868 members general public obtained streetintercept methods one 8 vignettes portraying alcohol cannabis methamphetamine heroin either male female protagonist presented respondent respondents attitudes towards specific cases investigatedrespondents held equally negative views presented substances exception cannabis vignette considered significantly less dangerous alcohol vignette respondents likely offer help women use alcohol likely suggest coercion treatment men individuals scored higher assist likely hold negative attitudes towards substance users black african respondents likely offer help individuals use substancesthe stigma associated substance use south africa high necessarily dependent drug choice however range factors including gender substance user ethnicity rater may impact stigma interventions designed strengthen mental health literacy genderfocused antistigma campaigns may potential increase treatment seeking behaviour