Assessment of Knowledge of Community-Based Approaches to Substance Use Interventions: Best Practices and Innovative Programs Among Medical Doctors in Akwa Ibom State

Abstract

Context: Community-Based Approaches (CBAs) are employed in substance use disorder treatment, but the familiarity and attitudes of medical doctors in Akwa Ibom State to these practices are not known. The purpose of this study was to assess how familiar Akwa Ibom State's medical doctors are with community-based approaches to drug use interventions, with a focus on best practices and cutting-edge initiatives.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among medical doctors residing in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling using an electronic questionnaire distributed through professional medical groups. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising both closed-ended and open-ended questions, thereby incorporating quantitative and qualitative components. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while responses to open-ended questions were analysed thematically.

Results: A total of 65 responses were received from medical doctors. The mean age of the respondents was 37.9 ± 4.9 years, with a slight preponderance of male respondents (58.5%). The concept of community-based approaches in substance use care, particularly the specific approaches/interventions, was mostly unfamiliar (69.2%) to the respondents. Despite their limited familiarity, the respondents correctly perceived (68.2%) CBAs. Inferential analysis showed no significant difference in familiarity scores by gender (p = 0.564), but significant differences were observed across years-of-experience categories (p = 0.046) and between psychiatry and other specialties (p = 0.016).

Conclusions: Generally, familiarity with community-based approaches to substance use treatment was poor among the respondents. However, they had good perceptions about them. Community-Based Education needs to be integrated into postgraduate training as it already is with undergraduate training.