Date of Completion

5-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

<-- Please select one -->

Keywords

drug rehabilitation practitioners, attitudes, perceptions, persons with substance use disorder

Abstract

Introduction: Different attitudes and perceptions of drug rehabilitation practitioners may influence their behavior towards patients with substance use disorder. These behaviors will affect the service delivery to patients, and the outcome may increase or decrease the patient's trust and tendency to seek treatment. Globally, illegal substance use and substance use disorders are getting worse. The side effects of substance use affect the persons who use it, their families, communities, health systems, and the country's resources in response to this problem (UNODC, 2021).

Objectives: This study aims to identify the attitudes and perceptions of drug rehabilitation practitioners, particularly health professionals in the Department of Health, Tagaytay Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DOH- TDATRC) toward persons with substance use disorder. In addition, it also aims to provide explanations for the behavior of these health professionals toward persons with substance use disorder.

Methods: The study used an explanatory sequential mixed methods design with quantitative and qualitative phases. In the quantitative phase, attitude and perception Likert scale questionnaires were used and provided to participants who satisfied the inclusion criteria. The respondents were divided into several groups for the focus group discussion in the qualitative phase, which was guided by responses from the quantitative phase.

Results: Thirty-five health professionals have different explanations for why they agree or disagree with the attitudes of accepting, trusting, respecting, optimistic, and understanding, persons with substance use disorder. They also have various reasons why they perceive honesty, predisposition to crime, violence, and anger, coping with problems, awareness, motivation to change, discrimination, and morality among these persons. Common explanations that affect their attitudes and perceptions towards persons with substance use disorder are their knowledge, experiences related or not related to their work, and exposure to these persons.

Conclusion: The knowledge and experience were built and continue to build on the attitudes and perceptions of health professionals. This study also confirmed that attitudes and perceptions of health professionals are interconnected with each other. One attitude is a prerequisite to another attitude. Attitudes enhance themselves depending on the given situation. Drug rehabilitation practitioners need continuous education and deep interaction with persons with substance use disorder to improve attitudes such as acceptance, trust, understanding, and optimism. With this, drug rehabilitation practitioners will be expected to prevent negative perceptions, for them to promote, and empower persons with substance use disorder and choose permanent change.

First Advisor

Lester M. Tan

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