Kershaw Steph, Russell Amelia, Birrell Louise, Grager Anna, Deen Hannah, Newton Nicola C, Stapinski Lexine A, Champion Katrina E, Kay-Lambkin Frances, Teesson Maree, Deng Jessica, Chapman Cath
The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia.
Health Promot J Austr. 2025 Oct;36(4):e70096. doi: 10.1002/hpja.70096.
Crystal methamphetamine use is a global health concern and highly stigmatised. Amid increased international focus on drug use as a health concern, the current study aimed to examine knowledge and attitudes around crystal methamphetamine among key groups in a contemporary Australian community sample.
A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in February-April 2022 (n = 736), open to all Australian residents aged 18 years and over. Knowledge and attitudes were assessed among people who use crystal methamphetamine, family/friends, health workers, and the general community. Data was combined with a previous 2019 survey (n = 2108) and linear regression examined factors associated with knowledge and attitudes.
Stigmatising attitudes were common among people who had not used crystal methamphetamine, and they were more likely to endorse negative statements than those who had. Family/friends and community members, females, and respondents from regional areas had the highest stigma scores. Of those who used crystal methamphetamine, 70.9% reported experiencing discrimination. Higher knowledge scores (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with less stigmatising attitudes as was being surveyed in 2022 compared to 2019. Health workers demonstrated the highest knowledge scores.
Stigmatising attitudes towards crystal methamphetamine remain prevalent, and experiences of discrimination towards people who use it are common. Evidence-based education and initiatives to reduce both public and self-stigma associated with crystal methamphetamine are needed. SO WHAT?: Stigma towards people who use methamphetamine remains common in Australia. This study highlights the need for targeted, evidence-based stigma reduction strategies to encourage help-seeking and improve health outcomes for people who use methamphetamine.
使用冰毒是一个全球健康问题，且备受污名化。在国际社会日益将吸毒视为健康问题的背景下，本研究旨在调查当代澳大利亚社区样本中关键群体对冰毒的认知和态度。
于2022年2月至4月进行了一项横断面在线调查（n = 736），所有18岁及以上的澳大利亚居民均可参与。对使用冰毒的人、家人/朋友、卫生工作者和普通社区成员的认知和态度进行了评估。数据与之前2019年的一项调查（n = 2108）相结合，并通过线性回归分析了与认知和态度相关的因素。
未使用过冰毒的人普遍存在污名化态度，他们比使用过冰毒 的人更倾向于认同负面陈述。家人/朋友和社区成员、女性以及来自地区的受访者的污名得分最高。在使用冰毒的人中，70.9%报告曾遭受歧视。与2019年相比，2022年接受调查的人知识得分越高（p < 0.001），污名化态度就越不明显。卫生工作者的知识得分最高。
对冰毒的污名化态度仍然普遍存在，对使用冰毒者的歧视现象也很常见。需要开展基于证据的教育和举措，以减少与冰毒相关的公众污名和自我污名。那又如何？：在澳大利亚，对使用甲基苯丙胺者的污名仍然普遍存在。本研究强调需要有针对性的、基于证据的减少污名策略，以鼓励寻求帮助并改善使用甲基苯丙胺者的健康状况。
