David Otiashvili1, Irma Kirtadze2, Kevin E O'Grady3, William Zule4, Evgeny Krupitsky5, Wendee M Wechsberg4, Hendrée E Jones4. 1. Addiction Research Center, Alternative Georgia, Tbilisi 0177, Georgia. Electronic address: dato@altgeorgia.ge. 2. Addiction Research Center, Alternative Georgia, Tbilisi 0177, Georgia. 3. Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD 20742, USA. 4. RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA. 5. Department of Addictions, Bekhterev Research Psychoneurological Institute, St.-Petersburg 192019, Russia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In the Republic of Georgia, women comprise under 2% of patients in substance use treatment and to date there has been no empirical research to investigate what factors may facilitate or hinder their help-seeking behaviour or access to treatment services. METHODS: This study included secondary analysis of in-depth interviews with 55 substance-using women and 34 providers of health-related services. RESULTS: The roles and norms of women in Georgian society were identified as major factors influencing their help-seeking behaviour. Factors that had a negative impact on use of drug treatment services included an absence of gender-specific services, judgmental attitudes of service providers, the cost of treatment and a punitive legal position in regard to substance use. Having a substance-using partner served as an additional factor inhibiting a woman's willingness to seek assistance. CONCLUSION: Within the context of orthodox Georgian society, low self-esteem, combined with severe family and social stigma play a critical role in creating barriers to the use of both general health and substance-use-treatment services for women. Education of the public, including policy makers and health care providers is urgently needed to focus on addiction as a treatable medical illness. The need for more women centred services is also critical to the provision of effective treatment for substance-using women.
BACKGROUND: In the Republic of Georgia, women comprise under 2% of patients in substance use treatment and to date there has been no empirical research to investigate what factors may facilitate or hinder their help-seeking behaviour or access to treatment services. METHODS: This study included secondary analysis of in-depth interviews with 55 substance-using women and 34 providers of health-related services. RESULTS: The roles and norms of women in Georgian society were identified as major factors influencing their help-seeking behaviour. Factors that had a negative impact on use of drug treatment services included an absence of gender-specific services, judgmental attitudes of service providers, the cost of treatment and a punitive legal position in regard to substance use. Having a substance-using partner served as an additional factor inhibiting a woman's willingness to seek assistance. CONCLUSION: Within the context of orthodox Georgian society, low self-esteem, combined with severe family and social stigma play a critical role in creating barriers to the use of both general health and substance-use-treatment services for women. Education of the public, including policy makers and health care providers is urgently needed to focus on addiction as a treatable medical illness. The need for more women centred services is also critical to the provision of effective treatment for substance-using women.
Authors: Shelly F Greenfield; Audrey J Brooks; Susan M Gordon; Carla A Green; Frankie Kropp; R Kathryn McHugh; Melissa Lincoln; Denise Hien; Gloria M Miele Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2006-06-08 Impact factor: 4.492
Authors: Sunitha T Sreenivasan; Prasanthi Nattala; Girish N Rao; Meena K Sridaramurthy Journal: Arch Womens Ment Health Date: 2021-09-09 Impact factor: 3.633
Authors: David Otiashvili; Irma Kirtadze; Kevin E O'Grady; William Zule; Evgeny Krupitsky; Wendee M Wechsberg; Hendrée E Jones Journal: J Subst Use Date: 2014-06-06