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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Yamilet Arroyo Calderón, MS, Public Health, Medical Science Campus University of Puerto Rico, Bo. Bajuras, La Lomita # 3, Vega Alta, PR 00692, 797-938-8610, arroyo_y@yahoo.com

“Nuestra Casa” (Our House) is a day care center that offers social and health services for the homeless population who suffers drugs/alcohol abuse and dependency in Puerto Rico. Objective: This study assessed the use determinants of social and health services of homeless people who received services at “Nuestra Casa” in a year. Methods: The data source was the medical and administrative records. From a total of 280 records, 220 files (78.5%) were analyzed. Descriptive and multivariate (correlation and multiple logistic and lineal regression) analyses were performed. Results: Findings show that the more prevalent illnesses were sexually transmitted diseases (55.1%), HIV (30.9 %), and other chronic health conditions (30.6%). Crack use was reported by 51.0%, followed by Heroine use (42.7%), and alcohol abuse (32.8%), among other drugs use. The median use of health services was two visits to the doctor and two laboratory tests in a year. The referrals to drug rehabilitation (Detox) programs were the most used. The results also show that those who did not consume Heroine had 2.4 times more probability of obtaining referral for permanent house than their counterparts. Users of Crack had 2.2 more probability of being referred to Detox programs as compared to no users of Crack. Conclusion: The homeless population in the metropolitan area of San Juan recognizes “Nuestra Casa” as a source for Detox programs referrals and basic social and health services. The experience with this program evidences the importance of considering the population needs when planning services.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the main health and social problems reported by the homeless population served at “Nuestra Casa” program in Puerto Rico.
• Describe patterns of services use of the homeless population that attended the “Nuestra Casa” program.
• Recognize the importance to develop programs based on the needs of the population served.

Keywords: Utilization, Homeless Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered