An Integrative Review of Measurement Instruments Used to Assess the Stigma That Affects People Who Use Drugs

Abstract

This article aims to review how existing instruments to measure stigma affecting people who use drugs have been developed, which domains of stigma are measured, as well as metrics used to validate these instruments. Using the Whittemore and Knafl’s process for conducting an integrative review, six studies published between January 2002 and April 2019 were systematically analyzed. Overall, all the studies included had good methodological qualities. The results showed that the instruments measured one or more domain of stigma. However, most of these studies use already pre-validated instrument to measure stigma in mental health and adapt to fit the people who use drugs context. Based on the findings we therefore recommend that more studies exploring the experience of people who use drugs regarding stigma, and the perceptions of service provides rendering care to people who use drugs should be undertaken to develop relevant and context-specific stigma instruments.