The female crack users: Higher rates of social vulnerability in Brazil

Health Care Women Int. 2017 Nov;38(11):1170-1187. doi: 10.1080/07399332.2017.1367001. Epub 2017 Aug 21.

Abstract

Female crack users who sought treatment are a hard to find part of the population. We studied sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics of crack users undergoing treatment in psychosocial care centers for alcohol and other drugs in six Brazilian cities. We carried out a cross-sectional study of 816 crack users and collected data with the Addiction Severity Index. Women were more likely to be in vulnerable situations: had worst levels of education, were not receiving money enough to their basic needs; more likely to be HIV positive (10.1%), to report sexual abuse (34%), and to be separated from their children (20%).

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Crack Cocaine / adverse effects*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Ill-Housed Persons / psychology
  • Intimate Partner Violence / psychology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Rape / psychology
  • Risk-Taking
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Vulnerable Populations*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Crack Cocaine