title: Attitudes of staff towards mothers affected by substance abuse.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of education and experience on the attitudes of neonatal nurses/midwives when caring for mothers and infants affected by substance abuse. A self-report questionnaire was completed by 50 nurses/midwives. The attitude of nurses/midwives towards mothers affected by substance abuse was generally negative/judgemental, and their knowledge base was low. The most experienced nursing staff generally had a more negative attitude than those nurses/midwives with less neonatal experience. Formal neonatal education did not appear to have a positive effect on knowledge base or attitudes; however, results implied that in-service education on substance abuse might have a mildly positive effect on attitudes. Results indicate a need for formal education on substance abuse and its effect on the neonate and mother, and that specialist education on substance abuse may influence attitudes.
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, Bermuda.
authors.forename: Lavinia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Raeside
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers; D017283:Neonatal Nursing; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D012606:Scotland; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires