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. 2025 Apr 17;15(1):13225.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-96001-x.

Mixed-methods study on professionals' attitudes toward harm reduction in cannabis use and the development of a knowledge translation plan

Roula Haddad  1 , Jean-Sébastien Fallu  2   3   4 , Christophe Huỳnh  3   5 , Mathieu-Joël Gervais  6 , Christian Dagenais  6
Affiliations

Mixed-methods study on professionals' attitudes toward harm reduction in cannabis use and the development of a knowledge translation plan

Roula Haddad et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

Several factors limit the adoption of harm reduction in cannabis use (HR-c). A knowledge translation (KT) process can help optimize its adoption. This study aims to: (1) identify the attitudes toward HR-c of health and social services (HSS) practitioners working among young people in Quebec; and (2) develop a KT plan to enhance its adoption. Two conceptual frameworks guided the study: the Knowledge-to-Action model and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Managers and practitioners working among young people in difficulty in Quebec were recruited. Mixed methods tools were used, involving consultations (N = 14) and questionnaires (N = 167). Qualitative data underwent thematic analysis, while descriptive and inferential statistics were executed to analyze quantitative data. Participants presented positive attitudes toward HR-c (M = 44.79), negative attitudes toward abstinence-based treatments (M = 9.68), and moderate perceived levels of training in HR-c (M = 12.3). Their needs and contextual factors that might influence HR-c adoption were identified. Based on these findings, a KT plan was developed to optimize HR-c adoption by HSS practitioners. Despite some negative factors impacting its applicability, HR-c is generally accepted and implemented by practitioners. This study represents the pre-implementation phase of the KT plan, which will then guide the effective implementation of a KT process for HR-c adoption.

Keywords: Cannabis; Harm reduction; Implementation science; Knowledge transfer; Knowledge translation; Public health.

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Conflict of interest statement

Consent statement. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethics declaration: The project was approved by the Comité d’éthique de la recherche en éducation et psychologie (#2023–4408) of Université de Montréal and by the Comité d’éthique de la recherche – Jeunes en difficulté (#2024–1949) of the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Centre-Sud de l’île de Montréal. All methods were performed in accordance with the guidelines and regulations of the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent: was obtained from all the participants.

References

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