Title of article :
Correlates of Alcohol Consumption and Drug Injection among Homeless Youth: A Case Study in the Southeast of Iran
Author/Authors :
Hosseinnataj, Abolfazl Institute for Futures Studies in Health and Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology - School of Health - Kerman University of Medical Sciences , Bahrampour, Abbas Institute for Futures Studies in Health and Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology - School of Health - Kerman University of Medical Sciences , Baneshi, Mohammad Reza Institute for Futures Studies in Health and Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology - School of Health - Kerman University of Medical Sciences , Poormorovat, Samira Ministry of Health and Medical Education - Women’s Health Research Center - Tehran , Ardalan, Glayol Adolescent and Youth Health Office - Ministry of Health and Medical Education , Zolala, Farzaneh Social Determinants of Health Research Center - Institute for Futures Studies in Health - Kerman University of Medical Sciences , Nasiri, Naser Department of Public Health - School of Public Health - Jiroft University of Medical Sciences , Zarei, Jasem WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance - Kerman University of Medical Sciences , Mousavian, Ghazal WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance - Kerman University of Medical Sciences , Iranpour, Abedin WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance - Kerman University of Medical Sciences , Sharifi, Hamid WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance - Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Abstract :
Background: Alcohol use and drug injection are prevalent among homeless youths. The aim of this study was
to identify the associated factors of alcohol consumption and drug injection among homeless youths aged
18-29 years.
Methods: Data on 202 homeless youths (111 males and 91 females) were collected using a standardized
questionnaire and face-to-face interview. Lasso logistic regression was applied to determine the impact of
associated factors on alcohol consumption and drug injection.
Findings: The mean age of the participants was 26.30 ± 3.19 years. Also, the prevalence of alcohol
consumption and drug injection was 33.0% [95% confidence interval (CI): 30-36] and 4.0% (95% CI: 0-8),
respectively; 6 people (3.0%) consumed alcohol and injected drugs at the same time. Correlates of alcohol
consumption and drug injection were male sex [odds ratio (OR)Alc = 5.7], age (ORAlc = 0.96 and ORDI = 0.98),
bachelor or higher education level (ORAlc = 1.34), non-Iranian nationality (ORAlc = 0.05 and ORDI = 0.18),
food score (ORDI = 0.92), smoking (ORAlc = 2.05), substance use (ORAlc = 1.12), opposite sex relationship
(ORAlc = 1.6), homosexual relationship (ORAlc = 3.56 and ORDI = 2.69), and mental disorder (ORAlc = 0.99).
Conclusion: Based on our findings, it seems that the homeless youth are more desired to use alcohol and drug
injection, whereas the prevalence of alcohol consumption and drug injection in homeless youth was higher
than general youth population in Iran. Therefore, some suitable solutions are needed to prevent the
homelessness. Also, the effective variables that were identified in this study for alcohol use and drug injection
can help design and implement beneficial interventions.
Keywords :
Homeless youth , Alcohol drinking , Injections , Logistic models
Journal title :
Addiction and Health
