Mejia Maria C, Kowalchuk Alicia, Gonzalez Sandra J, Nair Muktha, Webb Lisa, Scamp Nadine
Population Health and Social Medicine, Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Boca Raton, USA.
Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA.
Cureus. 2024 Jun 15;16(6):e62452. doi: 10.7759/cureus.62452. eCollection 2024 Jun.
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated disparities in mental healthcare and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment access, especially in under-resourced communities. This study aimed to comprehend the experiences of under-resourced women with SUD during the pandemic, their knowledge and attitudes toward it, and its impact on substance use and treatment access.
A cross-sectional study included 66 under-resourced women receiving medically managed withdrawal treatment at a community residential SUD center. Data collection occurred between November 2021 and August 2022, utilizing a 75-item instrument covering COVID-19 exposure and its impact on health, substance use, treatment access, vaccination status, beliefs, and knowledge. Descriptive analyses summarized the data.
Participants faced various challenges during the pandemic. Many reported increased substance use, especially alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, and nicotine. Mental health stability was negatively affected, exacerbating existing disorders and limiting mental healthcare access. A majority (56.1%) reported that their chronic mental health disorder was less stable during the pandemic. Twenty (30.3%) participants reported that they had been diagnosed with a new mental health disorder since the pandemic, and 28.8% reported that it was harder for them to access mental healthcare during the pandemic. Job loss, housing instability, and financial strain were prevalent. Half (n=33, 50%) received a COVID-19 vaccine dose, while 27.3% (n=18) declined vaccination due to knowledge gaps and religious beliefs. The majority (n=41, 62.1%) worried about securing basic needs such as groceries and medication, with 64.6% (n=42) expressing a desire to cope using alcohol or drugs.
This study expands upon previous research by examining the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in the context of substance use disorder treatment. Unlike previous data, which focused solely on substance use behaviors, our study delves into the impact of the pandemic on co-occurring mental health disorders. Findings underscore the need for gender-responsive and culturally appropriate SUD treatment. Vaccine hesitancy, as reflected in the study, necessitates more effective, tailored evidence-based informational campaigns. Efforts must focus on enhancing mental healthcare access, reducing stigma, and supporting individuals with co-occurring conditions amidst this evolving COVID-19 health crisis.
新冠疫情加剧了心理健康护理和物质使用障碍（SUD）治疗可及性方面的差距，尤其是在资源匮乏的社区。本研究旨在了解资源匮乏的患有物质使用障碍的女性在疫情期间的经历、她们对疫情的认知和态度，以及疫情对物质使用和治疗可及性的影响。
一项横断面研究纳入了66名在社区居住性物质使用障碍中心接受药物辅助脱毒治疗的资源匮乏的女性。数据收集于2021年11月至2022年8月期间进行，使用了一份包含75个条目的问卷，内容涵盖新冠病毒暴露情况及其对健康、物质使用、治疗可及性、疫苗接种状况、信念和认知的影响。描述性分析对数据进行了总结。
参与者在疫情期间面临各种挑战。许多人报告物质使用增加，尤其是酒精、阿片类药物、苯二氮䓬类药物和尼古丁。心理健康稳定性受到负面影响，加剧了现有的疾病并限制了心理健康护理的可及性。大多数人（56.1%）报告说她们的慢性心理健康疾病在疫情期间变得更不稳定。20名（30.3%）参与者报告说自疫情以来他们被诊断出患有新的心理健康疾病，28.8%的人报告说在疫情期间他们更难获得心理健康护理。失业、住房不稳定和经济压力普遍存在。一半（n = 33，50%）的人接种了一剂新冠疫苗，而27.3%（n = 18）的人由于知识差距和宗教信仰而拒绝接种疫苗。大多数人（n = 41，62.1%）担心无法保障食品杂货和药品等基本需求，64.6%（n = 42）的人表示希望通过饮酒或吸毒来应对。
本研究通过在物质使用障碍治疗背景下考察新冠疫情对心理健康的影响，对先前的研究进行了拓展。与之前仅关注物质使用行为的数据不同，我们的研究深入探讨了疫情对并发心理健康疾病的影响。研究结果强调了需要提供针对性别和文化适宜的物质使用障碍治疗。研究中反映出的疫苗犹豫现象，需要更有效、量身定制的循证宣传活动。在这场不断演变的新冠健康危机中，必须致力于提高心理健康护理的可及性、减少污名化，并支持患有并发疾病的个体。
