A gendered analysis of Canadian Aboriginal individuals admitted to inpatient substance abuse detoxification: a three-year medical chart review.
This study examined gender differences within a sample of Canadian Aboriginal individuals admitted to an inpatient, hospital-based substance abuse detoxification program. Even though alcohol was the most frequent primary drug of detoxification for both genders, women received proportionately higher rates of cocaine or opiate detoxification diagnoses. In addition to a younger age, females reported higher rates of physical and sexual abuse. Women were also administered antidepressants, antibiotic medication protocols, and more medical evaluation tests. It appears that Canadian Aboriginal women have a diverse set of psychological and medical needs. This study demonstrates the need for detoxification programs to address the substantial rates of intravenous drug use and the associated risk of infectious disease (eg, Hepatitis C, HIV) among this treatment-seeking population.
Callaghan
Russell C
RC
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Russell_Callaghan@camh.net
Cull
Randi
R
Vettese
Lisa C
LC
Taylor
Lawren
L
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001955:British Columbia; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004930:Inuit / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents