Perceptions, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Participation of Families and Communities in Caring for Methamphetamine Users Undergoing Treatment

Abstract

This descriptive study examined problem perception, knowledge, attitudes, and family and community participation in caring for methamphetamine users receiving outpatient treatment at Udon Thani Hospital. Participants were purposively selected and included 15 patients undergoing substance abuse treatment, 15 family caregivers, and 42 community leaders, totaling 72 participants. Research instruments consisted of a demographic interview form, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire: Thai version (WHOQOL-BREF-THAI), a knowledge test, an attitude scale, a family caregiving practice scale, a community participation scale, and focus group discussion guidelines. Content validity was acceptable, with IOC values ranging from 0.67 to 1.00. Reliability testing showed Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of 0.97 for quality of life, 0.83 for knowledge, 0.90 for attitudes, 0.90 for family caregiving practices and 0.98 for community participation. Data were collected from 13 communities in Mueang District, Udon Thani Province. Descriptive statistics were used for quantitative data, while qualitative data were analyzed using a summary of findings.

The findings showed that most patients were male (93.30%) with a mean age of 32.47 years old and had poor quality of life. Most caregivers were female parents (86.70 %) with a mean age of 59.13 years old. The majority of community leaders were village health volunteers. Communities perceived substance abuse as serious problems, noting that many substance abusers had not entered treatment or had relapsed. Major problems included poor self-care, limited employment opportunities, family burden and stress, negative community attitudes, weak collaboration among related sectors, insufficient law enforcement and environmental conditions that facilitated access to drugs. Caregivers primarily possessed low knowledge levels, while community leaders showed moderate knowledge. Attitudes, family caregiving practices and community participation were all at moderate levels.

The finding suggest relevant agencies should promote and strengthen the capacity of families and communities through accurate knowledge, positive attitudes, skill development and integrated collaboration is essential for effective and sustainable substance abuse care.