Abstract
BackgroundThis study investigates opiate use in mediating the impact of history of incarceration on emergency department (ED) use.MethodData were collected from 1,341 clients who underwent HIV and STI screening in an outpatient care center in Long Beach, California. The Risk Behavior Assessment (RBA, baseline) and Risk Behavior Follow-Up Assessment (RBFA, follow-up) were administered to each client with at least a three months interval between assessments.ResultsOf 1341 participants in the study, 931 (69.43%) reported previous incarceration. Having a history of incarceration was significantly associated with emergency room use as well as a history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), injection drug use, opiate use, and survival sex trading, defined as sex for money or drugs. The relationship between previous incarceration and ED use was mediated by opiate use for men but not for women. The findings suggested that the effect of history of incarceration on ED use was exacerbated when the individuals were male and opiate users.ConclusionsTargeted interventions in treatment and rehabilitation programs could help prevent unnecessary ED use and reduce the use of EDs through drug treatment during incarceration and after release.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/2194-7899-2-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
This study investigates opiate use in mediating the impact of history of incarceration on emergency department (ED) use
It is important to investigate patterns of ED use by reentry populations, factors that mediate the use of EDs among individuals with a history of incarceration
This study investigates whether the impact of history of incarceration on ED use is mediated by opiate use and sex trading for drugs or money, two current public health problems with substantial risks to individual health
Summary
This study investigates opiate use in mediating the impact of history of incarceration on emergency department (ED) use. Uninterrupted access to adequate health care may alleviate negative social and health consequences for former inmates, and improve the success of their reentry to society (Freudenberg et al 2008; Wang et al 2012). Receiving continuing and longer periods of substance abuse treatment after being released from prison was positively associated with greater success on parole (LaMoure et al 2010). Adequate access to health care may reduce the misuse and spending associated with emergency room (ED) visits for non-emergency cases. It is important to investigate patterns of ED use by reentry populations, factors that mediate the use of EDs among individuals with a history of incarceration
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
