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Gender Differences in Indices of Opioid Dependency and Medical Comorbidity in a Population of Hospitalized HIV‐Infected African‐Americans
Author(s) -
Boyd Susan J.,
ThomasGosain Neena F.,
Umbricht Annie,
Tucker Marvin J.,
Leslie Jo M.,
Chaisson Richard E.,
Preston Kenzie L.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
the american journal on addictions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.997
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-0391
pISSN - 1055-0496
DOI - 10.1080/10550490490459960
Subject(s) - comorbidity , heroin , medicine , psychiatric comorbidity , dependency (uml) , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , psychiatry , substance abuse , population , demography , drug , family medicine , environmental health , systems engineering , sociology , engineering
We examined gender differences in drug use patterns and in medical presentation among 520 hospitalized, HIV‐infected African‐Americans. Substance abuse history was self‐reported, and medical data were obtained by chart review. Overall, 321 (65%) reported ever having used heroin, with equivalent rates in men and women. Women were more likely to report current use, to have sought treatment, and tended to feel more dependent on heroin than men. Among heroin users, women were more likely to be admitted for conditions related to drug use, rather than AIDS, and to have CD4 counts >200/mm 3 . These gender differences in opioid dependency and medical comorbidity may indicate a need for alternative treatment approaches for men and women.