Factors that facilitate treatment uptake for women with alcohol use disorders in high-income countries: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND

Harmful alcohol use among some groups of women is increasing globally. Despite being susceptible to negative health impacts, women are less likely than men to seek treatment and can face barriers of access, acceptability, and affordability to treatment.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to identify key factors affecting treatment access for women with alcohol use disorders (AUDs), and to identify individual, social, and organizational factors that facilitate treatment uptake.

DESIGN

Systematic review with narrative synthesis, guided by a social-ecological framework to identify organizational, individual, and societal enablers of treatment uptake among women with AUDs.

METHODS

Six electronic databases were systematically searched for studies published between 2000 and 2024 in high-income countries. Data on study design, sample characteristics, interventions, and outcomes were extracted and synthesized.

RESULTS

Twenty-five studies, conducted in various countries, identified factors affecting women's treatment uptake. Key themes included individual motivators linked to problem perception, alcohol use severity, age, relationships, and family cohesion; societal motivators influenced by social norms and relationships; and organizational themes of accessibility, acceptability, and affordability were positively affected by healthcare provider knowledge of treatment options.

CONCLUSION

Facilitating factors of treatment uptake for women with AUDs include relational and personal goals, societal environments, normative expectations, and the knowledge of alcohol treatment from individual and organizational perspectives. Sober curiosity movements, alcohol-free months, and digital strategies can positively impact women's alcohol treatment uptake.