Risk behaviours and healthcare needs of homeless drug users in Saint Lucia and Trinidad.
Article
Day, M, Devieux, JG, Reid, SD et al. (2004). Risk behaviours and healthcare needs of homeless drug users in Saint Lucia and Trinidad.
. 15(6), 121-126.
Day, M, Devieux, JG, Reid, SD et al. (2004). Risk behaviours and healthcare needs of homeless drug users in Saint Lucia and Trinidad.
. 15(6), 121-126.
In the Caribbean AIDS has become the leading cause of death among those aged 15-45. The homeless are at high risk due to the nexus of mobility, psychiatric disorders and substance use, particularly crack. Seventy-four homeless, out-of-treatment drug users were recruited in Saint Lucia and Trinidad to assess risk behaviour and healthcare needs. Information was collected in several domains: medical, mental health, substance use, sexual risk, and barriers to care. Ninety-five percent of the sample reported crack cocaine use within the previous 30 days. Approximately 35% of the sample had ever been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease and 25% of the sample reported being HIV+. Approximately 40% had a history of trading sex for crack or money. Due to the range of needs in this population, interventions should be multimodal. A focus on the individual, community, and structural levels is warranted to improve chances of program effectiveness.
