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Article
Health Status of Illicit Stimulant Drug Users in Rural Ohio
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
  • Russel S. Falck, Wright State University - Main Campus
  • Jichuan Wang, Wright State University - Main Campus
  • Robert G. Carlson, Wright State University - Main Campus
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-1-2007
Abstract

The SF-8 health survey was used to assess the physical and mental health status of a community sample of not-in-treatment, illicit stimulant drug-using adults (n = 249) living in rural Ohio. Physical health status scores indicative of poor health were present in 30.5% of the sample. Poor physical health was associated with older age (OR = 1.06; 95% C.I. = 1.02-1.11), chronic disease (OR = 2.24, 95% C.I. = 1.14-4.40), and frequent opioid use (OR = 3.14, 95% C.I. = 1.16-8.50). Poor mental health status scores were present in 63.9% of the sample. Men were less likely (OR = 0.25, 95% C.I. = 0.11-0.53), and Whites more likely (OR = 3.97, 95% C.I. = 1.56-10.13), to have poor mental health scores. Frequency and type of drug use had no measurable effect on mental health status. Physical and mental health problems are likely to be pervasive among nonmedical drug users in rural areas.

Citation Information
Russel S. Falck, Jichuan Wang and Robert G. Carlson. "Health Status of Illicit Stimulant Drug Users in Rural Ohio" Journal of Psychoactive Drugs Vol. Supplement 4 (2007) p. 401 - 405 ISSN: 0279-1072
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/robert_carlson/5/