Navigating stigma: a qualitative study of barriers to opioid treatment engagement in Tanzania
Background
Stigma related to drug use is a well-documented barrier to engaging and remaining on medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), yet little is known about how stigma operates across multiple social and institutional settings in low-resource contexts.
Methods
This qualitative study draws on 40 in-depth interviews with current and former MOUD clients and four focus groups with 35 current clients at an opioid treatment clinic in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Transcripts were thematically analyzed to explore how stigma influenced MOUD adherence and retention.
Results
Five themes emerged...