Personal attributes and attitudes to substance use disorder: A study among Jordanian undergraduate medical majors students

BACKGROUND: Emerging health professionals in undergraduate programs should be equipped to provide care to people with substance use disorder (SUD). The students’ personal attributes may impact their attitude toward those with SUD. This study aims to evaluate the impact of personal attributes of Jordanian undergraduate health students on their attitudes toward SUD and examine the relationship between the personal attributes and their devaluation and discriminatory (stigmatory) behaviour toward those with SUD. METHOD: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used to examine the attitudes and stigmatory behaviours. The data were collected between May to October 2017 with a structured questionnaire that consisted of three parts: 1) a data sheet to collect the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, 2) the Acute Mental Health Scale (ATAMHS), and 3) the Devaluation-Discrimination Scale (DDS). FINDINGS: Younger and females demonstrated a positive attitude toward those with SUD compared to older or male students. Age, gender, and previous experience with SUD are significant factors that affect their attitude. CONCLUSION: Identifying the attitude to people with SUD and personal attributes of emerging health professionals in Jordan will help identify the need to educate them prior to their entry into practice.