Factors Associated With the Stigmatization of Psychoactive Substance Users Among Latin American Health Professionals

To evaluate the association between contact, education and knowledge and the stigmatization of drug use/users among health professionals. This was a cross-sectional study with 449 professionals from health care services from Latin-American countries. Sociodemographic data and experience, contact and knowledge about drug treatment, and the Attribution Questionnaire for Drug use were used. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. Closeness was associated with being a professional from Colombia (OR = 0.33) and working in drug treatment services (OR = 0.42). Distancing was associated with being in services not focused on the treatment of addiction (OR = 1.77), not having training in the humanities (OR = 2.25), believing that the users are to blame for their condition (OR = 1.47) and not having received training in the area of alcohol and other drugs (OR = 2.42). Contact and knowledge are associated with the stigmatization of drug users and point to strategic actions for stigma reduction interventions among health professionals.