The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61462

Lena M. Lundgren, PhD, Deborah Chassler, MSW, Susan Peloquin, BA, Soraya Presume, BA, and Linsey Ben-Ami, BA. School of Social Work, Boston University, 264 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215, 617-353-1634, llundgre@bu.edu

This presentation describes results on the association between HIV risk factors, mental health symptoms and emergency room/hospital use by active injection drug users (IDUs). Data originate from 700 interviews with IDUs in Massachusetts, conducted 2001-2002 through funding from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Results identify that 49.3% of respondents used emergency room/hospital services six months prior to the interview for overdose, suicidal episodes, breathing related difficulties and psychological problems, including depression and panic attacks. Sixteen percent had a diagnosis of AIDS, 51% had a diagnosis of Hepatitis C, and 10.5% had attempted suicide in the past six months. Bi-variate data analysis identified that race, gender, education, and employment were not associated with ER/hospital use. Homeless respondents were more likely to use ER/hospital services, as were those who had overdosed in the past year. Risk factors including a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C, a history of using dirty needles, level of drug use, were not significantly associated with ER or hospital services. On the other hand, several mental health symptoms (measured through the Addiction Severity Index Psychiatric Scales) were significantly associated with ER/hospital use. Further, respondents who used ER/hospital services in the past six months were more likely to use inpatient or outpatient psychiatric services.

Learning Objectives:

1-List factors associated with IDUs' use of ER/hospital services.
• Identify the role of overdose and chronic disease in IDU ER/hospital use.
• Discuss the relationship between history of mental health treatment and likelihood of ER/hospital use.

Keywords: Co-morbid, Injection Drug Users

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.