title: Beliefs and attitudes regarding drug treatment: application of the theory of planned behavior in African-American cocaine users.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) can provide insights into perceived need for cocaine treatment among African American cocaine users.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional community sample of 400 (50% rural) not-in-treatment African-American cocaine users was identified through respondent-driven sampling in one urban and two rural counties in Arkansas. Measures included self-reports of attitudes and beliefs about cocaine treatment, perceived need and perceived effectiveness of treatment, and positive and negative cocaine expectancies. Normative beliefs were measured by perceived stigma and consequences of stigma regarding drug use and drug treatment. Perceived control was measured by readiness for treatment, prior drug treatment, and perceived ability to cut down on cocaine use without treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multiple regression analysis found that older age (standardized regression coefficient β=0.15, P<0.001), rural residence (β=-0.09, P=0.025), effectiveness of treatment (β=0.39, P<0.001), negative cocaine expectancies (β=0.138, P=0.003), experiences of rejection (β=0.18, P<0.001), need for secrecy (β=0.12, P=0.002), and readiness for treatment (β=0.15, P<0.001) were independently associated with perceived need for cocaine treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TPB is a relevant model for understanding perceived need for treatment among African-American cocaine users. Research has shown perceived need to be a major correlate of treatment participation. Study results should be applicable for designing interventions to encourage treatment participation.
authors.affiliation: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Psychiatric Research Institute, Division of Health Services Research, 4301 W. Markham St., Slot 755, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, 2200 Ft. Roots Dr., Bldg. 58, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR 722114, USA. Electronic address: boothbrendam@uams.edu.
authors.forename: Brenda M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Booth
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina General Administration, 910 Raleigh Road, P.O. Box 2688, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA; University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Department of Public Health Sciences, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223, USA.
authors.forename: Katharine E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.affiliation: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Psychiatric Research Institute, Division of Health Services Research, 4301 W. Markham St., Slot 755, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, 2200 Ft. Roots Dr., Bldg. 58, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR 722114, USA.
authors.forename: Geoffrey M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Curran
authors.affiliation: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Psychiatric Research Institute, Division of Health Services Research, 4301 W. Markham St., Slot 755, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, 2200 Ft. Roots Dr., Bldg. 58, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR 722114, USA.
authors.forename: Ann M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cheney
authors.affiliation: University of Kentucky, College of Public Health, Department of Health Services Management and Policy, 111 Washington Ave., Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
authors.forename: Tyrone F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Borders
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population
keywords: Perceived need for treatment; Rural; Theory of Planned Behavior; Treatment beliefs and attitudes