232449 Partnering to assess characteristics of adults receiving treatment in an urban American Indian health center

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Traci Rieckmann, PhD , Department of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
Carmen Rosa, MS , Center for the Clinical Trials Network, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, MD
Roz Ringor-Carty, MSW , Residential Treatment Center, Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest, Inc., Portland, OR
Marisa O. Gholson, BA , Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
Lynn Kunkel, MS, CCRP , Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
Steven Gilbert, CADC II , Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest, Inc., Portland, OR
Dennis McCarty, PhD , Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
William E. Lambert, PhD , Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR
Birdie Wermy, BA , Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, Portland, OR
Introduction: Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is an ecological inquiry approach that emphasizes an alliance between investigators and communities to address the context of social, political and economic systems that impact health status and behaviors. The approach is especially useful with American Indian communities.

Methods: We partnered with an urban American Indian health center to assess client characteristics, their treatment experiences and treatment needs. During 2009, 74 American Indian aged 19 to 57 years (mean = 33) completed the Native version of the Addiction Severity Index.

Results: All study participants reported current use of amphetamine. Regular use of alcohol (84%) and cannabis (64%) were common. Opioid use was less prevalent (16%). Over half (57%) of respondents reported chronic medical problems and 28% reported a current prescription medication for a physical problem. Four of ten (41%) respondents reported experiencing medical problems in the past 30 days; 23% reported seeking medical help from a tribal medical person in their lifetime. Conclusions: The successful partnership with the American Indian residential addictions treatment program documents the feasibility of using the Native ASI to assess alcohol and drug use patterns among American Indians admitted to a culturally oriented program. Project findings assisted clinical decision-making and organizational development and planning. The collaboration also provided a foundation for participation in clinical trials.

Learning Areas:
Other professions or practice related to public health
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is an ecological inquiry approach that emphasizes an alliance between investigators and communities to address the context of social, political and economic systems that impact health status and behaviors. The approach is especially useful with American Indian communities.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the Principal Investigator on a few research studies within tribal substance abuse treatment facilities, which have resulted in ongoing professional and interpersonal collaborative relationships with several American Indian/Alaskan Native tribes within the Oregon area.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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