To determine the relationship between substance abuse and the utilization of preventive health care, data were collected from a sample of 1,479 African-American, Hispanic and White men and women, of whom 384 were chronic injectors of opiates and/or cocaine, 542 were chronic users (but not injectors) of opiates and/or cocaine and 553 were non-users of opiates and/or cocaine. Use of preventive health services was defined as obtaining physical, eye and/or dental exams in the absence of symptoms within the past twelve months. The multivariate model showed that drug users were approximately half as likely as non-users to have used preventive health services. Injectors were the least likely to have used preventive services (OR=0.4, 95% C.I. 0.3, 0.6), followed by other chronic drug users (OR=0.6, 95% C.I. 0.4, 0.7). Study participants who reported having a usual source of medical care were 2.0 times as likely to have used preventive services (OR=2.0, 95% C.I. 1.5, 2.6). Those who reported insurance coverage in the past twelve months were 2.2 times as likely to have used preventive services (OR=2.2, 95% C.I. 1.5, 2.6). Respondents reporting one or more health problems were also more likely to have used preventive health services (OR=1.4, 95% C.I. 1.1, 1.8). Men were less likely than women to have used preventive services (OR=0.8, 95% C.I. 0.6, 0.97). Findings suggest that chronic drug use is an important barrier to utilization of preventive health services, even after controlling for need and enabling resources.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to articulate the relationship between the use of illicit drugs and the utilization of preventive health services
Keywords: Substance Abuse, Preventive Medicine
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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.