title: Epidemiological indicators and ethnographic realities of female cocaine use.
abstract: This study is an ethnographic examination of differences in the male-to-female ratio among cocaine users in epidemiological indicators from emergency room departments, local drug-user treatment programs, and the pretrial detention center. In-depth interviews were conducted with female cocaine users. The lower female ratio in drug treatment and emergency department sources seems related to barriers to drug-user treatment for women and the image of emergency departments as an extension of the criminal justice system. The women's involvement in visible illegal activities and their perception as easy arrestees may explain the arrestee data ratio. The findings indicate that epidemiological indicators may misrepresent the gender distribution among drug users.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. csterk@sph.emory.edu
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Sterk
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dolan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hatch
mesh_terms: D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D011330:Prisons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012744:Sex Ratio; D011477:Sex Work / Q000523:psychology*; D012938:Social Perception; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*