North Carol S, Eyrich Karin M, Pollio David E, Spitznagel Edward L
Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Am J Public Health. 2004 Jan;94(1):103-8. doi: 10.2105/ajph.94.1.103.
We examined the prevalence of psychiatric illness among 3 homeless populations in St. Louis, Mo, in approximately 1980, 1990, and 2000. The 3 studies were conducted with the same systemic research methodology.
We compared selected demographics and lifetime substance abuse and dependence and other mental illness among the 3 populations.
Among the homeless populations we studied, the prevalence of mood and substance use disorders dramatically increased, and the number of minorities within these populations has increased.
The prevalence of psychiatric illness, including substance abuse and dependence, is not static in the homeless population. Service systems need to be aware of potential prevalence changes and the impact of these changes on service needs.
我们于1980年、1990年及2000年前后对密苏里州圣路易斯市的3个无家可归者群体进行了精神疾病患病率调查。这3项研究采用了相同的系统研究方法。
我们比较了这3个群体在特定人口统计学特征、终生药物滥用及依赖情况以及其他精神疾病方面的差异。
在我们研究的无家可归者群体中，情绪和物质使用障碍的患病率大幅上升，且这些群体中的少数族裔人数有所增加。
包括药物滥用及依赖在内的精神疾病患病率在无家可归者群体中并非一成不变。服务系统需要意识到患病率的潜在变化以及这些变化对服务需求的影响。
