Perceptions of methadone maintained clients about barriers and facilitators to help-seeking behavior.
BACKGROUND
Among substance users, health seeking remains a major challenge for which few data are available.


OBJECTIVE
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.
Nyamathi
Adeline
A
School of Nursing, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
Smith
Donna McNeese
DM
Shoptaw
Steven
S
Mutere
Malaika
M
Cohen
Allan
A
Amrani
Israel
I
Morales
Louis
L
de Castro
Viviane
V
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D055030:Drug Users; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009294:Narcotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011287:Prejudice; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000592:standards; D055815:Young Adult
D009294:Narcotics; D008691:Methadone