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Violence, homelessness, and HIV risk among crack-using African-American women.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Wechsberg, WM; Lam, WKK; Zule, W; Hall, G; Middlesteadt, R; Edwards, J
Published in: Substance use & misuse
February 2003

This study compares the characteristics of out-of-treatment, homeless, crack-using African-American women with those who are not homeless to determine what risks and protective factors differentiate the two groups. From 1999 to 2001, 683 out-of-treatment, African-American crack-using women (of whom 219 were categorized as homeless) were interviewed and serologically tested. Risk factors that were examined include adverse childhood experiences, psychological distress, physical health, violence and victimization, drug use, and risky sex behaviors. Protective factors that were examined include marital status, education, public assistance, and the responsibility of caring for children. Overall, both groups of women started crack use in their mid-twenties and started drug use with alcohol in their teenage years, though differed significantly on each risk factor examined. Logistic regression analysis found that variables associated with increased odds of being homeless are physical abuse before age 18, crack runs greater than 24 hours, income less than dollars 500 in the last 30 days, depression, and current cigarette smoking. Protective factors found are marital status, living with children under 18, having had a physical in the past year, and receiving money from welfare in the last 30 days. Being sexually assaulted in the past 90 days was marginally associated with homelessness in the model. These findings, specific to crack-using African-American women, suggest that not only do these women overall report painful histories and currently stressful lives, but homeless women are more likely than women who are not homeless to have experienced childhood abuse and are more involved with drug use. Interventions designed for these women need to consider gender, cultural, and contextual issues that not only incorporate aspects of risk reduction related to violence, alcohol use, and comorbid conditions, but also linkages that will address housing issues, education, and skills for independence.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Substance use & misuse

DOI

EISSN

1532-2491

ISSN

1082-6084

Publication Date

February 2003

Volume

38

Issue

3-6

Start / End Page

669 / 700

Related Subject Headings

  • Women's Health
  • Violence
  • United States
  • Substance Abuse
  • Risk-Taking
  • Risk Factors
  • Ill-Housed Persons
  • Humans
  • HIV Seropositivity
  • Female
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Wechsberg, W. M., Lam, W. K. K., Zule, W., Hall, G., Middlesteadt, R., & Edwards, J. (2003). Violence, homelessness, and HIV risk among crack-using African-American women. Substance Use & Misuse, 38(3–6), 669–700. https://doi.org/10.1081/ja-120017389
Wechsberg, Wendee M., Wendy K. K. Lam, William Zule, Grace Hall, Rachel Middlesteadt, and Jessica Edwards. “Violence, homelessness, and HIV risk among crack-using African-American women.Substance Use & Misuse 38, no. 3–6 (February 2003): 669–700. https://doi.org/10.1081/ja-120017389.
Wechsberg WM, Lam WKK, Zule W, Hall G, Middlesteadt R, Edwards J. Violence, homelessness, and HIV risk among crack-using African-American women. Substance use & misuse. 2003 Feb;38(3–6):669–700.
Wechsberg, Wendee M., et al. “Violence, homelessness, and HIV risk among crack-using African-American women.Substance Use & Misuse, vol. 38, no. 3–6, Feb. 2003, pp. 669–700. Epmc, doi:10.1081/ja-120017389.
Wechsberg WM, Lam WKK, Zule W, Hall G, Middlesteadt R, Edwards J. Violence, homelessness, and HIV risk among crack-using African-American women. Substance use & misuse. 2003 Feb;38(3–6):669–700.

Published In

Substance use & misuse

DOI

EISSN

1532-2491

ISSN

1082-6084

Publication Date

February 2003

Volume

38

Issue

3-6

Start / End Page

669 / 700

Related Subject Headings

  • Women's Health
  • Violence
  • United States
  • Substance Abuse
  • Risk-Taking
  • Risk Factors
  • Ill-Housed Persons
  • Humans
  • HIV Seropositivity
  • Female