Attitudes towards people with drug use of residents of an urban community, Leon, Nicaragua

Abstract

Objective: determine the attitudes of urban residents of a community in León, Nicaragua, towards people with drug use. Method: cross-sectional study with 121 people, aged 18-65, randomly surveyed with a multidimensional Attitude Inventory. Results: the global scale of attitudes showed negative attitudes to marijuana and cocaine (62 and 78%) and ambivalent alcohol (54%). Significant differences were found in relation to whether they had ever consumed in their lives, socio-demographic factors and attitudes towards the drug user. In relation to age, from 18 to 29 years old, the prevailing attitude was ambivalent for both alcohol, marijuana and cocaine. However, in the cases of alcohol and marijuana positive attitude was reported in 7.3% and 4.9% respectively, in these same age ranges. For the sex variable, it was reported that the female had a negative attitude to alcohol and marijuana in contrast to the male sex that their attitude was ambivalent towards these consumers. An important fact is that men presented positive attitude toward people with problematic use of alcohol and marijuana in 4.9% and 3.3% respectively, with a value of p = 0.002. Conclusion: negative attitudes towards users of illegal drugs (cocaine and marijuana) were found, while for alcohol consumption it was more ambivalent, suggesting a high burden of stigma and the need to educate the community. Age, 18-29 years, the prevailing attitude was ambivalent for both alcohol, marijuana and cocaine. For the sex variable it was reported that the female one presented negative attitude to alcohol and marijuana.