The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #44718

Calvin R Trent, PhD¹, Richard Kaczynski, PhD², Joseph Palliwoda³, Marcia Andersen, PhD, RN³, and Eugene Schoener, PhD⁴. (1) Bureau of Substance Abuse, Detroit Health Department, 1151 Taylor Street, Detroit, MI 48202, 313 876-4566, trentc@health.ci.detroit.mi.us, (2) Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4201 St. Antoine, University Health Center, Detroit, MI 48201, (3) Detroit LIGHT House Program, 3750 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48201, (4) Addiction Research Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, 2761 West Jefferson, Detroit, MI 48207

This demonstration project is testing an integrated model of care for substance abusers with chronic, severe infectious disease (e.g., HIV, HCV, TB). The present study specifically examines the relationship between participants’ self-reported quality of life and physical health at program enrollment. Individuals who concurrently manifest an addictive disorder and communicable disease are eligible for the Detroit LIGHT House Program, a 90-day intensive outpatient program with medical case-management and domiciliary support. Demographically, the population is 75% male and 96% African American, with a mean age of 46 and 12 years of education. Participants are assessed at program intake, completion and follow-up using several validated measures including the Quality of Life Inventory (QOLI) and SF-36 Health Survey. Upon entry, patients report that health is less important to them than other domains measured by the QOLI. No significant correlation exists between the QOLI and SF-36 responses for bodily pain (r=.09), physical functioning (r=.13) or general health (r=.17), while it does for mental health (r=.49). Examination of QOLI items for importance and satisfaction finds health rated significantly lower than all other domains of life quality (p < .001 for pairwise t-tests between importance of health vs. importance of the other domains except friendship, where p < .09). The mean rating for importance of health to QOLI is 0.65 on a 0-2 scale, while other domains average 1.21-1.79. Substance abuse patients with severe infectious disease are less concerned with physical health than other quality of life issues.

Learning Objectives:

• Audience will understand and appreciate implications of the unique perceptions about health held by substance abusers who manifest severe, chronic infectious disease.

Keywords: Drug Abuse Treatment, Infectious Diseases

Related Web page: www.pnc-wbi.com

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Detroit LIGHT House Program
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.