Date of Award
2012
Publication Type
Master Thesis
Degree Name
M.A.Sc.
Department
Nursing
Keywords
Nursing.
Supervisor
Kane, Debbie (Nursing)
Rights
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the health issues that affect hidden homeless IV drug users, with respect to four determinants of health: physical environment, social environment, personal health practices and coping skills and health services. A comparison of hidden homeless IV drug users (IDUs) and non-injecting drug users (NIDUs) was conducted as a secondary analysis of data obtained in a needs assessment of the health and social services used by a hidden homeless population. The results suggest that IDUs have more health issues related to high risk behaviours, blood borne viral infections, stigmatization and lack of social support. Implications for practice include the need for a `housing first' approach to housing; creation of a drop-in centre; and education regarding homelessness and drug use to eliminate the stigmatization that exists towards this population. Further research with a larger sample of hidden homeless IDUs is warranted.
Recommended Citation
Dobson, Kimberley, "Exploring the Health Issues of Hidden Homeless IV Drug users in a Mid-Sized Canadian Community." (2012). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 220.
https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/etd/220