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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Sung-Yeon Kang, PhD, Sherry Deren, PhD, Milton Mino, and Honoria Guarino, PhD. Center for Drug Use and HIV Research, National Development and Research Institutes, 71 West 23rd Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10010, (212) 845-4457, kang@ndri.org

Background: Previous research has found a low rate of health care utilization among migrants. Puerto Rican drug users who used drugs in Puerto Rico and migrated to New York have been found to be a high-risk group for HIV/AIDS. The objective of this study is to examine levels of health care utilization (HCU) and factors associated with differential HCU among Puerto Rican migrant drug users(PRMDUs). Methods: 133 PRMDUs were recruited in NYC in 2005. HCU was measured by having received (prior 12 months): medical in/outpatient services (no vs. yes) and HIV/AIDS counseling/testing (no vs. yes). Only variables significantly (p<.10) associated with each of the HCU variables in bivariate analysis were entered in the multiple logistic regression. Results: sample description - 80% males; mean age 43; 34% married; 22% educated beyond high school; 71% ever injected; 82% tested heroin or cocaine+ (at recruitment); 71% currently enrolled in MMTP; 17% HIV+; 87% had health insurance; 45% received in/outpatient medical services; and 55% received HIV/AIDS counseling/testing. In multiple logistic regression, having health insurance, being HIV+ status, and not being married (including common law) were significantly (p<.10) associated with receiving medical services. In predicting receipt of HIV/AIDS counseling/testing, having health insurance, being more depressed, and lower educational attainment (12 years or less), were significant factors. Conclusions: The relationship between having health insurance and health care utilization was confirmed in this population. The low rate of receipt of health care services in this high-risk population requires further examination.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize a low rate of receipt of health care services in this high-risk population.
• Identify factors related to health care utilization among Puerto Rican migrant drug users.
• Discuss the importance of having health insurance in this minority drug using population.

Keywords: , Health Care Utilization

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered