Ali Bazzi - Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
Mohammad Javad Ghazanfari - Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
Iraj Aghaei - Department of Neuroscience, Neuroscience Research Center, Poursina Hospital, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Abdolhossien Emami Sigaroudi - Cardiovascular Diseases Research Center, Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Heshmat Hospital, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
Mahmood Moosazadeh - Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Non-communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Touraj Assadi - Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Samad Karkhah - ۱. Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran. ۲. Social Determinants of Health Research Center (SDHRC), Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.

Background: Substance use disorders (SUDs) pose substantial challenges to society, creating widespread negative effects. Given their frequent and direct contact with patients, nurses hold a vital position in managing and addressing these disorders. This systematic review aimed to examine nurses’ understanding of substance use and their perceptions of individuals affected by these conditions.Methods: This systematic review involved a comprehensive search of online databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, utilizing relevant keywords up to July ۹, ۲۰۲۱. Only studies published in English and aligned with the review’s objectives were considered. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the AXIS tool.Findings: A total of ۳۲۷۳ nurses participated across ۱۲ studies. The results indicated that nurses’ knowledge about substance use was moderate, and their attitudes toward substance users were generally positive. Knowledge-related factors included variables such as age, gender, and work experience. Similarly, age, gender, ethnicity, education level, job position, work experience, participation in workshops on substance use, interest in patient care, hours spent on substance use courses during education, and continuing education hours related to substance use were identified as potential factors influencing attitudes.Conclusion: Therefore, holding workshops and improving guidelines for patient care with SUDs can enhance nurses’ knowledge and attitudes and, ultimately, the quality of nursing care.

Knowledge, Attitude, Nurses, Substance-related disorders, Systematic review