Home > Health, perceived quality of life and health services use among homeless illicit drug users.

O'Brien, K K and Schuttke, A and Alhakeem, A and Donnelly-Swift, E and Keogh, C and O'Carroll, A and O'Sullivan, K and Galvin, R and Fahey, T (2015) Health, perceived quality of life and health services use among homeless illicit drug users. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 154, pp. 139-145.

INTRODUCTION
Drug misuse has been identified as a significant problem in homeless populations. This study examines aspects of physical and mental health, perceived quality of life and health service use among homeless illicit drug users and compares these to non-drug users.

Participants were recruited through health clinics across Dublin. A questionnaire assessed participants' drug use, health and well-being, health behaviours and use of health services. Descriptive statistics are presented for the entire cohort and drug users separately. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between drug use and (i) multimorbidity, (ii) anxiety and/or depression, (iii) perceived quality of life and (iv) use of health services.

CONCLUSION
This study highlights the high levels of drug use in this population and the negative impact of drug use on health and perceived quality of life of a homeless population in Dublin.


Item Type
Article
Publication Type
Irish-related, Article
Drug Type
Substances (not alcohol/tobacco)
Date
2015
Page Range
pp. 139-145
Publisher
Elsevier Science
Volume
154
EndNote
Accession Number
HRB (Not in collection)
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