We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
"So what if I use tobacco or alcohol? It won't hurt me!" How women perceive substance use: insights from a community study in India.
- Authors
Sreenivasan, Sunitha T.; Nattala, Prasanthi; Rao, Girish N.; Sridaramurthy, Meena K.
- Abstract
To explore the subjective perceptions of women from rural and urban communities in Bangalore, India, regarding their perspectives about addictive substance use (ASU), and the interventions/support they need to quit use. Based on the data collected, the goal of this study was to develop an intervention that would address the women's needs. Mixed methods were used as follows: (a) door-to-door survey of women (N = 2044) regarding their use of addictive substances, and (b) focus group discussions with the women to explore their perceptions. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, themes and sub-themes identified. More than one-third (32.7%) reported past 3-month ASU, with majority reporting smokeless tobacco products (82.6%). Alcohol use was reported by 17.4%. Four major themes (with sub-themes) were identified from the focus group discussions: (1) Patterns of use (oral tobacco products-kaddipudi, thambaku; alcohol), (2) Reasons for use (to relieve stress and forget problems, tobacco use as a way of life, for postnatal benefits, due to easy availability, to reduce fatigue and pain, indigestion, hunger), (3) Low risk perception related to ASU ("We know how to use tobacco safely", "No real harm from tobacco"), and (4) Issues related to quitting ASU and help-seeking (unwillingness to quit, methods of intervention- "videos, or tablets/injections to help us quit ASU"). The findings highlight challenges involved in the development of effective interventions for women. Additionally, there is a clear need for broader community agencies to address psychological, cultural, and social dimensions.
- Subjects
INDIA; SMOKING &; psychology; FATIGUE prevention; PSYCHOLOGY of alcoholism; PREVENTION of psychological stress; SUBSTANCE abuse &; psychology; FOCUS groups; RESEARCH methodology; RURAL conditions; INTERVIEWING; SMOKELESS tobacco; HUNGER; HELP-seeking behavior; SURVEYS; HARM reduction; PSYCHOLOGY of women; DESCRIPTIVE statistics; THEMATIC analysis; METROPOLITAN areas; COMPULSIVE behavior; PAIN management
- Publication
Archives of Women's Mental Health, 2022, Vol 25, Issue 1, p129
- ISSN
1434-1816
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s00737-021-01180-x