ABSTRACT
Smokeless tobacco use among women living in rural areas is poorly understood and largely ignored. This qualitative study explored the use of smokeless tobacco with 10 participants living in rural areas in Alabama, with the women telling their own stories of use. Themes emerging from interviews included the initiation of use, secrecy, health-risk beliefs, daily-use patterns, and thoughts about quitting. The study results could assist community health nurses in awareness of risks, case finding, and development of community-based prevention strategies. Additional research would help better understanding of the epidemiology of the problem, cultural implications, and practice interventions.
Subject(s)
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Tobacco, Smokeless/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Alabama , Cultural Characteristics , Female , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Middle Aged , Qualitative Research , Rural PopulationABSTRACT
People recovering from addiction to alcohol or drugs often acknowledge the need for complete change in life pattern orientation in a journey toward healing. Serenity is the hallmark of recovery according to the tenets of 12-step programs, but little is known about the actual experience of serenity in healing from addiction. From a perspective of unitary pattern appreciation and a method of unitary appreciative inquiry, this study explored the experience of serenity among 9 people recovering from alcohol and/or drug addiction. Results are portrayed in both individual and group profiles, depicted in a format that integrates empirical findings as poetry.
