 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Tamarra C. Jones, MPH, CHES, Department of Health Promotion and Education, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda University, School of Public Health, Loma Linda, CA 92350, 909-341-0903 ext 26, tjones@marchofdimes.com, RoWandalla Dunbar, MPH, March of Dimes, Inland Empire Division, March of Dimes, 3600 Lime Street #521, Riverside, CA 92501, Barbara Frye Anderson, DrPH, RN, CHES, Department of Health Promotion and Education, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda University, School of Public Health, School of Public Health, Loma Linda, CA 92350, Susanne B. Montgomery, MS, MPH, PhD, School of Public Health, Department of Health Promotion and Education, Evaluation Research Unit, Loma Linda University, 10970 Parkland Avenue, Loma Linda, CA 92350, and Randall Walker, MFT, Department of Marriage and Family Therapy, Loma Linda University, 545 N. Mountain Ave. #204, Upland, CA 91786.
Rehabilitative treatment for substance abuse is often based on a general male model of care. The unique needs of women, specifically parenting women, are often overlooked and underserved. The lack of availability of substance abuse treatment centers designed to meet these needs results in high levels of lack of compliance and shortened rehabilitation programs. During 1999-2000, 391 parenting women were referred to services in San Bernardino County, California. However, only 25% successfully completed treatment. The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify barriers to compliance and perceived needs of parenting women seeking substance abuse rehabilitation. We proposed that addressing these needs would lengthen the time these women remained in the program, as well as increase their compliance with the treatment regime. Thirty-four parenting women participating in substance abuse treatment, at either an inpatient or outpatient center in San Bernardino County, were interviewed using 1:1 key informant techniques. Data was analyzed and mapped identifying the following five themes: barriers to getting clean, motivation to remain clean, barriers to remaining clean, benefits to receiving treatment in a treatment center, and barriers to receiving treatment in a treatment center. A major barrier to entering treatment was that women don’t know how or where to get treatment. Women also stated that the supportive environment, which could include support from staff as well as others in treatment, served as a primary reason to stay in treatment. This study has implications for designing substance abuse programs that address the realities of parenting women’s lives.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Drug Abuse Treatment,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.