Use of Health Care Services by Women Who Use Crack Cocaine

• NCJ Number: 186654
• Journal: Women & Health Volume: 30 Issue: 1 Dated: 1999 Pages: 35-51
• Author(s): Lisa R. Metsch Ph.D.; H. Virginia McCoy Ph.D.; Clyde B. McCoy Ph.D.; Christine C. Miles M.A.; Brian R. Edlin M.D.; Margaret Pereyra MPH
• Editor(s): Jeanne M. Stellman Ph.D.
• Date Published: 1999
• Length: 17 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article examines the health care needs and the use of health care services by crack smokers, especially women.

Abstract

Chronic drug users demonstrate a need for access to health care due to both acute health problems related directly to substance abuse and other existing medical problems. This study attempts to examine how women differ from men in their utilization of health services. Also, it analyzes how crack use affects men and women differently. The study population is a community-based sample of 624, comprised equally of men and women, as well as crack users and non-users of crack. The results indicate that women utilized health care more than men, yet crack use among women appeared to be an inhibitory factor in the utilization of health services by women. References