Amy B Mullens1,2, Jane Fischer3,4, Mary Stewart3, Kathryn Kenny5, Shane Garvey6, Joseph Debattista7. 1. a Sexual Health & HIV Service, Metro North Hospital and Health Service , Brisbane , Australia. 2. b School of Psychology and Counselling, University of Southern Queensland , Ipswich , Australia. 3. c Alcohol and Other Drug Service, Metro North Hospital & Health Service , Brisbane , Australia. 4. d The National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, Flinders University , Adelaide , Australia. 5. e DRUG ARM Australasia , Brisbane , Australia. 6. f QLD AIDS Council (formerly QLD Association for Healthy Communities) , Brisbane , Australia. 7. g Metro North Public Health Unit , Metro North Hospital and Health Service , Brisbane , Australia .
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations are more likely to misuse alcohol and other drugs (AOD), compared to the general population. However, LGBT engagement with AOD treatment is often precluded by insensitivity and misunderstanding of LGBT issues. These treatment barriers may be a consequence of either worker attitudes, organizational factors or a combination of both. Few studies have compared service context as an impediment to AOD treatment. OBJECTIVES: This pilot study sought to examine and compare staff attitudes, knowledge and awareness of LGBT issues in two state-wide AOD services within Australia. One organization was a government service, whilst the other was faith based. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of a convenience sample (N = 130) of workers employed in a state-wide government AOD service (n = 65), and a state-wide non-government service (n = 65) was conducted. Participants self-completed a questionnaire comprising tools previously used to assess staff attitudes, knowledge and awareness of LGBT issues. RESULTS: Few significant differences in attitudes and awareness of LGBT issues between government and non-government respondents were found. Nearly all respondents were supportive of LGBT persons irrespective of organizational context, with a small number of negative views. Although most respondents demonstrated awareness of organizational policies and practices relating to LGBT clients, many were "unsure" or "neutral" of what these might be. CONCLUSION: It is confirming that the majority of staff report supportive attitudes towards LGBT clients. Findings suggest that organizations need to continue to take leadership to strengthen organizational training and capacity to deliver LGBT friendly AOD treatment practices.
BACKGROUND: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations are more likely to misuse alcohol and other drugs (AOD), compared to the general population. However, LGBT engagement with AOD treatment is often precluded by insensitivity and misunderstanding of LGBT issues. These treatment barriers may be a consequence of either worker attitudes, organizational factors or a combination of both. Few studies have compared service context as an impediment to AOD treatment. OBJECTIVES: This pilot study sought to examine and compare staff attitudes, knowledge and awareness of LGBT issues in two state-wide AOD services within Australia. One organization was a government service, whilst the other was faith based. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of a convenience sample (N = 130) of workers employed in a state-wide government AOD service (n = 65), and a state-wide non-government service (n = 65) was conducted. Participants self-completed a questionnaire comprising tools previously used to assess staff attitudes, knowledge and awareness of LGBT issues. RESULTS: Few significant differences in attitudes and awareness of LGBT issues between government and non-government respondents were found. Nearly all respondents were supportive of LGBT persons irrespective of organizational context, with a small number of negative views. Although most respondents demonstrated awareness of organizational policies and practices relating to LGBT clients, many were "unsure" or "neutral" of what these might be. CONCLUSION: It is confirming that the majority of staff report supportive attitudes towards LGBT clients. Findings suggest that organizations need to continue to take leadership to strengthen organizational training and capacity to deliver LGBT friendly AOD treatment practices.
Entities:
Keywords:
Alcohol and other drug services; LGBT; attitudes; faith-based organizations; health workers; knowledge; non-government organizations; policy
Authors: Amy B Mullens; Josh Duyker; Charlotte Brownlow; Jime Lemoire; Kirstie Daken; Jeff Gow Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2019-02-02 Impact factor: 2.655
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