A Comparison of the Need for Health Care and Use of Health Care by Injection-Drug Users, Other Chronic Drug Users, and Nondrug Users

Abstract

This article compares the health care need and health care use of injection drug users, other chronic drug users, and nondrug users. Data from 1,330 non-Hispanic White, African American, and Hispanic/Latino men and women were analyzed to determine independent risk factors for two outcome variables: (a) need for health care treatment and (b) use of health care treatment. Ten independent demographic, health, and drug use variables were assessed in logistic regression models. Drug use (injection drug use or other chronic drug use), being female, having insurance, and perceived health status of very good/good or fair/poor were independently associated with increased need for health care. Injection drug use and other chronic drug use decreased the likelihood of receiving health care treatment, whereas being female, having insurance, and a perceived health status of fair/poor increased the likelihood of receiving health care.