Annual Rates of Appearing Unconscious in the Emergency Department, Among Low Income Housed, Homeless and Alcohol Dependent Men

Abstract

We examined the frequency and mental health factors associated with presenting unconscious in the emergency department among low-income and homeless men. Interviews of men who are chronically homeless with drinking problems (CHDP) (n = 50), in the general homeless population (GH) (n = 61) and in low-income housing (LIH) (n = 58) were linked to emergency department records over 5 years (n = 2817). Incidence rates and factors associated with unconsciousness presentation were examined with multivariate models. The CHDP group presented unconscious 0.716 times per year, four times more than the other groups. Among the CHDP, GH and LIH groups, 22 %, 10 % and 3 % of individuals presented unconscious at least once annually, with 60 %, 4 % and 15 % being found unconscious in a public place. Intoxication and head injury were predictive of unconscious presentation. Our results show that presenting unconscious in the emergency department is a significant problem for homeless men, many of whom are found in public places.