Disparities in health services for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C virus, and sexually transmitted infections: Role of substance abuse treatment programs

Lawrence S. Brown, Steven Kritz, Adashima Muhammad, Edmund J. Bini, R. Jeffrey Goldsmith, Jim Robinson, Donald Alderson, Deborah S. Hasin, John Rotrosen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: This report focused upon the availability of infection- related health services in substance abuse treatment programs with and without addiction services tailored for special populations (women and non-white populations). Methods: In a cross-sectional, descriptive design, treatment program administrators across the United States within the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network provided information on program characteristics, the availability of infection-related services (4 medical services and 3 nonmedical services for human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus, and sexually transmitted infections), and barriers to providing infection-related services. Results: Of 319 programs, 269 submitted surveys (84% response rate). Of these, 80% provided addiction services for special populations. Programs providing addiction services designed for at least one special population, were more likely to provide infection-related health services, especially human immunodeficiency virus-related education (94% vs 85%, P = 0.05) and patient counseling (76% vs 60%, P = 0.03) and were more likely to include outpatient addiction services (86% vs 57%, P < 0.001) and outreach and support services (92% vs 70%, P = 0.01). Barriers to providing infection- related services included funding (cited by 48.3%-74.7% of programs), health insurance (cited by 28.9%-60.8% of programs), and patient acceptance (cited by 23.2%-54.3% of programs).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)95-102
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Addiction Medicine
Volume3
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Disparities
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Hepatitis C virus
  • Sexually transmitted infections
  • Substance abuse treatment

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