RESEARCH PAPER Nurses’ perception of the quality of care they provide to hospitalized drug addicts: Testing the Theory of Reasoned Action Merav Ben Natan PhD RN Senior Lecturer, Pat Matthews Academic School of Nursing, Hillel Yafe Medical Centre, Hadera, Israel Valery Beyil BA RN Nurse, Pat Matthews Academic School of Nursing, Hillel Yafe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel Okev Neta BA RN Nurse, Pat Matthews Academic School of Nursing, Hillel Yafe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel Accepted for publication July 2009 Ben Natan M, Beyil V, Neta O. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2009; 15: 566–573 Nurses’ perception of the quality of care they provide to hospitalized drug addicts: Testing the Theory of Reasoned Action A correlational design was used to examine nursing staff attitudes and subjective norms manifested in intended and actual care of drug users based on the Theory of Reasoned Action. One hundred and thirty-five nursing staff from three central Israeli hospitals completed a questionnaire examining theory-based variables as well as sociodemographic and professional characteristics. Most respondents reported a high to very high level of actual or intended care of drug users. Nurses’ stronger intentions to provide quality care to drug users were associated with more positive attitudes. Nursing staff members had moderately negative attitudes towards drug users. Nurses were found to hold negative stereotypes of drug addict patients and most considered the management of this group difficult. Positive attitudes towards drug users, perceived expectations of others and perceived correctness of the behaviour are important in their effect on the intention of nurses to provide high-quality care to hospitalized patients addicted to drugs. Key words: drug addicts, nurses, quality of care, stereotypes, Theory of Reasoned Action. INTRODUCTION Over the past few decades, there has been a significant rise in the number of general hospital patients addicted to drugs. Addiction disorders affect 20–50% of hospitalized patients. The World Drugs Report 2007 states that the global prevalence of illegal drug use by 15- to 64-year- olds covers 5% of the entire population. In Israel, the prevalence reached 10.5% of all 18- to 40-year-olds in 2005. 1 Nurses providing daily care must handle this complex population. The research clearly indicates the considerable difficulties experienced by nurses caring for drug users in general hospitals. 2,3 Nurses’ attitudes towards these patients are negative and influenced by many stigmas. 4 However, no study has examined the components Correspondence: Merav Ben Natan, Pat Matthews Academic School of Nursing, Hillel Yafe Medical Centre, P.O. Box 169, Hadera 38100, Israel. Email: meraav@hy.health.gov.il International Journal of Nursing Practice 2009; 15: 566–573 doi:10.1111/j.1440-172X.2009.01799.x © 2009 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd