Abstract:

A woman as an addict or substance abuser has to face very hazardous consequences, self-stigma, internalize shame and stigmas of society as compared to men’s. Women users experience a number of additional barriers to receiving treatment including maternal responsibilities, lack of child care while in treatment, disadvantages in economic resources, less social/partner-support, and possibly greater social stigma. Aim: to develop an educational program for substance abuser women to reduce self stigma and internalized shame. Study design: a quasi-experimental design was utilized to conduct this study. Setting: this study was conducted at inpatient department for substance abusers women in Abbasiya for Mental health Hospital- Salah Salem Street- Cairo city. Subject: convenient sample of 30 substance abuser women. Data collection tools: 1) Socio-demographic questionnaire for women. 2) Substance Abuse Self Stigma Scale, SASSS. 3) The Internalized Shame Scale, ISS. Results: the present study revealed that there was a highly statistically significant improvement regarding self stigma and internalized shame scores post implementation of educational program. In addition, there were highly statistically significant positive correlations between self stigma and internalized shame of studied women. Conclusion: the implementation of educational program has a statistically significant positive effect on women's level of self stigma and internalized shame related to substance abuse. Recommendations: The developed program should be implemented on a wider scale in the study settings and in similar ones to confirm its positive effects and improvement. Expand primary health care services in community services frequently used by substance abuser women.

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