Investigating the factors associated with drug abuse among women attending methadone clinics in Dar es Salaam and reasons for seeking care at these clinics

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Drug abuse continues to be a major risky behavior problem all over the world. Women are more vulnerable to the adverse social, cultural, economic and physiological consequences associated with substance abuse. Substance abuse in women is also associated with a unique constellation of risk factors and needs, including increased prevalence of mental health problems, histories of physical or sexual abuse, serious medical problems, poor nutrition, relationship problems (including domestic violence), and deficits in social support. Aim of the study: The study aimed to explore factors associated with drug abuse among women attending methadone clinics in Dar es Salaam and reasons for seeking care at these clinics. Methods: The study was a qualitative study carried out in methadone clinics at Mwananyamala referral hospital and Temeke referral hospital in Dar es Salaam. A purposive sampling technique was used to enroll women receiving the methadone treatments at the methadone clinics. Data was collected using in-depth interviewing methods guided by a prepared interview guide. Data was analyzed qualitatively using content analysis with the NVivo software program. Results: The results showed several factors associated with drug abuse among women including socio-demographic factors such as age, nature of the occupation, nature of the family, psychosocial factors such as frustrations and trauma, lifestyle factors such as partner‟s influence and peer pressure influence, and psychosocial factors influencing seeking care at the methadone clinics such as stress, acceptability in society and anxiety. A significant link between these factors was reported. Conclusion: Drug abuse has been seen to be a problem among women, who are key population in Dar es Salaam, having different factors which contribute to women engage themselves or involve themselves with drug abuse. Also women who engaged in drug abuse are observed to be seeking care in the methadone clinics where different reasons for them to seek care were observed which could serve as a guide to help others who have not started to attend and receive the methadone treatment.