The effect of self-stigma on the health information-seeking behavior of the opioid use disorder population in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia

Purpose This study explores the health and harm reduction information needs and seeking behavior of people who use opioids, focusing on how internalized stigma affects their willingness to seek information that could help them. It also examines how Chatman's insider outsider theory can be applied to this population. Design/methodology/approach A field-based survey was conducted in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, a neighborhood with an open-air drug market. Responses were collected from 106 participants who admitted to using opioids recreationally. The survey addressed the relationship between participants' health information-seeking behaviors, feelings of self-stigma and their likelihood to overdose. Findings Participants who reported higher levels of internalized stigma were significantly less likely to seek harm reduction information and more likely to overdose. These patterns suggest that stigma functions as a barrier to health information access and harm reduction engagement. Responses also clearly aligned with principles of Chatman's insider-outsider theory. Originality/value This study is one of the few to directly connect internalized stigma to overdose vulnerability through the lens of information behavior. It highlights the urgent need for stigma-reducing, community-based public health initiatives. Findings suggest that participatory, peer-led approaches may be more effective in bridging information gaps and fostering trust among people who use drugs.