Crenças e atitudes em relação a gestantes usuárias de álcool e outras drogas: um estudo exploratório com profissionais de saúde.

Abstract

The use of alcohol and other drugs during pregnancy is related to negative outcomes, among them low adherence to prenatal care. One of the reasons for such absence from the services is that substance dependence is a condition that is often stigmatized, with the users facing negative attitudes from professionals. Thus, the present study aimed to explore the beliefs and attitudes from health professionals towards substance-using pregnant women and their relation to the perception model of the patient’s condition and to professional aspects as well. Firstly, a literature review was operated, which pointed out to positive, negative, and ambivalent attitudes while also highlighting some organizational barriers. After that, empirical research was conducted with healthcare professionals through the utilization of an online questionnaire, which contained: the Beliefs and Attitudes Scale, Structural Stigma Scale, questionnaires of Perceptual Model, Social Distance and emotional reactions, as well as the Social Desirability Scale and a sociodemographic questionnaire. The sample was multiprofessional and intrasectoral, and was composed of 103 professionals. Descriptive and inferential analyses, such as ANOVAS and multiple regression, were operated through SPSS. The results showed partially positive attitudes, the presence of detachment and negative emotional reactions, and a view on dependence based hegemonically on the moral model. Professionals with a biomedical emphasized formation and who perceived dependence issues from the moral model presented more negative attitudes. CAPS (Psychosocial Care Centers) workers were the professionals who presented the most favorable results towards substance-using pregnant women. Shared care models are suggested for a more comprehensive and humanized care. The relevance of the study is highlighted, specially for the national literature, considering its scarcity, as well as the exploratory aspect of the study, thus bringing limitations to the generalization of the results.