Health Care Need and Utilization: A Preliminary Comparison of Injection Drug Users, Other Illicit Drug Users, and Nonusers

Authors

Dale D. Chitwood, University of Miami
Duane C. McBride, Andrews UniversityFollow
Michael T. French, University of Miami
Mary Comerford, University of Miami

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

1-1-1999

Keywords

Health care access, Health care utilization, Illicit drug use

Abstract

This paper investigates the relationship between chronic drug use and the health care system. Data from 536 African-American, Hispanic, and non- Hispanic White men and women were analyzed to determine independent risk factors for three outcome variables: 1) Need for health care treatment, 2) Utilization of health care treatment, and 3) Failure to receive needed treatment. Nine independent demographic, health, and drug-use history variables were assessed in logistic regression models. Chronic drug users were more likely in the past year to need health care treatment, were as likely to receive some health care treatment, and were more likely not to receive needed treatment than were nonusers.

Journal Title

Substance Use and Misuse

Volume

34

Issue

4-5

First Page

727

Last Page

746

DOI

https://doi.org/10.3109/10826089909037240

First Department

Behavioral Sciences

Recommended Citation

Chitwood, Dale D.; McBride, Duane C.; French, Michael T.; and Comerford, Mary, "Health Care Need and Utilization: A Preliminary Comparison of Injection Drug Users, Other Illicit Drug Users, and Nonusers" (1999). Faculty Publications. 2687.
https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pubs/2687