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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Craig Field, PhD, MPH, Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, 6011 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75235, 214-648-1343, craig.field@utsouthwestern.edu and Raul Caetano, MD, PhD, Dallas Regional Campus, University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., V8.112, Dallas, TX 75390-9128.

Background: While screening and brief intervention with injured patients has been shown to reduce subsequent alcohol use and injury recidivism, these studies have been conducted with predominately Caucasian populations. The aim of the current study is to evaluate ethnic differences in clinical characteristics of Black, White and Hispanic presenting for treatment of an alcohol related injury. Methods: During a two year period, 1499 trauma patients including 699 Whites, 291 Blacks and 539 Hispanics with an alcohol related injury were identified in a Level 1 Trauma Center. Ethnic differences in alcohol use, alcohol problems, alcohol dependence, drug use, drug dependence, stage of change, prior alcohol treatment and prior alcohol related injury were determined using chi-square. Regression analyses were conducted to evaluate ethnicity differences after controlling for sociodemographic characteristics including age, gender and education. Results: Bivariate analysis indicated significant ethnic differences with regard to the alcohol volume per week, frequency of heavy drinking, drinks per day, maximum drinks per day, alcohol problems, alcohol dependence, drug use, drug dependence, prior alcohol treatment and prior alcohol related injury. After controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, Hispanics were less likely to use drugs (AOR=.5, 95% CI=.4-.7), less likely to report prior alcohol treatment (AOR=.7, 95% CI=.6-97) but more likely to be alcohol dependent (AOR=1.4, 95% CI=1.05-1.8) and report a prior alcohol related injury (AOR=1.4, 95% CI=1.03-1.8) but). Conclusions: There are significant health disparities with regard to risk factors associated with an alcohol related injury which may be the result of language differences and access to care.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe ethnic differences in substance use disorders among patients with an alcohol related injury
• Discuss health disparities associated with treatment of substance use problems among patients with an alcohol related injury

Keywords: Health Disparities, Substance Abuse

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered