The Invisible Barrier: A Scoping Review of Stigma and Nursing Attitudes in Chemsex Care.

Background: Chemsex, or sexualized drug use, exists along a continuum ranging from non-problematic, consensual recreational practice across diverse populations to problematic behaviors linked with clinical vulnerabilities, substance dependence, or compulsive disorders. Within nursing practice, under...

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Publicado en:Nursing Reports Vol. 16; no. 7; pp. 227 - 250
Autores principales: Camargo, Emerson Lucas Junio Silva, Sousa, Álvaro Francisco Lopes de, Costa, Alice Silva, Sousa, Anderson Reis de, Lovadini, Vinicius de Lima, Fronteira, Inês, Carvalho, Herica Emilia Felix de, Carneiro, Liliane Moretti, Ventura, Carla Aparecida Arena
Formato: research systematic review tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: MDPI Jul2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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        atl: The Invisible Barrier: A Scoping Review of Stigma and Nursing Attitudes in Chemsex Care.
      aug:
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          Camargo, Emerson Lucas Junio Silva
          Sousa, Álvaro Francisco Lopes de
          Costa, Alice Silva
          Sousa, Anderson Reis de
          Lovadini, Vinicius de Lima
          Fronteira, Inês
          Carvalho, Herica Emilia Felix de
          Carneiro, Liliane Moretti
          Ventura, Carla Aparecida Arena
        affil: Ribeirão Preto School of Nursing, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-902, SP, Brazil
      sug:
        subj:
          Chemsex
          Stigma Prevention and Control
          Nurse Attitudes
          Nursing Knowledge
          Nursing Practice
          Research, Nursing
          Human
          Funding Source
          Scoping Review
          Checklists
          PubMed
          Medline
          CINAHL Database
          Embase
          Thematic Analysis
          Medical Practice
          Communication
          Patient Participation
          Organizational Culture
          Multidisciplinary Care Team
          Data Analysis Software
      ab: Background: Chemsex, or sexualized drug use, exists along a continuum ranging from non-problematic, consensual recreational practice across diverse populations to problematic behaviors linked with clinical vulnerabilities, substance dependence, or compulsive disorders. Within nursing practice, understanding this spectrum is essential to mitigate healthcare-related stigma. Objective: To map and synthesize evidence on stigma and attitudes among nurses regarding chemsex, identifying implications for practice and research. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Searches were performed across PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, EMBASE, and LILACS. Studies involving nurses or healthcare teams focused on stigma, attitudes, or related constructs in chemsex care were included. Data underwent descriptive and thematic synthesis. Results: Six studies met the inclusion criteria, showing substantial heterogeneity. Only one focused exclusively on nurses. Stigma and attitudes were rarely assessed explicitly, emerging instead as underlying factors influencing clinical practice, communication, and patient engagement. Key themes included the necessity for non-judgmental care, significant gaps in knowledge and training, variability in clinical practice, and the impact of organizational barriers. A schematic representation was developed to illustrate the interrelationships between stigma, knowledge, professional attitudes, and structural factors influencing healthcare practice. Conclusions: This review positions stigma as a central mechanism influencing nursing care in chemsex contexts. The findings underscore critical gaps in nursing-specific evidence and emphasize the need for targeted training, validated measurement tools, and integrated care models. Strengthening stigma-informed, patient-centered approaches is essential to improve care delivery and health outcomes for this population.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        systematic review
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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