Predictors of Overnight and Emergency Treatment among Homeless Adults

Chisom N. Iwundu, Pooja Agrawal, Michael S. Businelle, Darla E. Kendzor and Lorraine R. Reitzel
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Chisom N. Iwundu: Department of Rehabilitation and Health Services, College of Public and Health Service, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA
Pooja Agrawal: Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, College of Education, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
Michael S. Businelle: Oklahoma Tobacco Research Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 655 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
Darla E. Kendzor: Oklahoma Tobacco Research Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 655 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
Lorraine R. Reitzel: Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, College of Education, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 12, 1-9

Abstract: High usage of emergency treatment and hospitalization has been reported among homeless individuals. Hence, this study aimed to identify the sociodemographic predictors associated with overnight and emergency hospital treatment among a sample of homeless adults. Participants were recruited from a shelter in Dallas, Texas (N = 354; Mage = 43.7 ± 11.7) and were predominantly uninsured, low-income men from various racial groups. The outcome variables were: (a) stayed overnight for treatment in a hospital; and (b) treated in a hospital emergency room. In logistic regression models, sex emerged as the only predictor of overnight treatment in a hospital (OR = 2.68, 95% CI = 1.61–4.47), and treatment in an emergency room (OR = 2.21, 95% CI = 1.34–3.65), such that women were more likely than men to be treated overnight and use emergency care. Targeted interventions and policies are needed to address homeless women’s primary care needs and reduce costlier treatment.

Keywords: homeless; emergency treatment; hospitalization; sociodemographic; sex (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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