       Document 0042
 DOCN  M9640042
 TI    The development of healthcare services for drug misusers and
       prostitutes.
 DT    9604
 AU    Morrison CL; Ruben SM; Maryland Centre, Liverpool, UK.
 SO    Postgrad Med J. 1995 Oct;71(840):593-7. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/96142723
 AB    With the advent of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the increase
       of drug misuse in the UK, the Government wishes primary care to play a
       greater part in treating drug problems in the hope of preventing the
       spread of HIV. Drug misusers do not avail themselves of traditional
       services and many are not registered with general practitioners. In
       response to this Liverpool Health Authority and Family Health Service
       Authority commenced a new salaried post to provide primary care services
       to special groups such as injecting drug misusers and prostitutes.
       Judgemental attitudes towards drug misusers, their high mobility and
       being a transient population play a part in the reasons why drug
       misusers find it difficult to access primary healthcare. Drug misusers
       have high morbidity related to their drug misuse. Many of these
       conditions, if treated early, can prevent the need for more intensive
       intervention. Although drug misusers may present with a condition
       requiring immediate treatment, the opportunity is used to provide other
       healthcare such as hepatitis B vaccinations, sexually transmitted
       infection screening, contraception and HIV/hepatitis B testing. The sero
       prevalence of anti-HBc in injecting drug misusers is 45.5%. Due to their
       high morbidity and associated costs, the requirements of these groups
       may conflict with the objectives of budget-holding practices. If general
       practitioners are unable to respond to their problems, then health care
       providers and purchasers will have to consider similar schemes in areas
       which have a higher prevalence of drug misuse in order to provide
       appropriate healthcare for these vulnerable groups.
 DE    Adult  England  Female  Human  Male  Primary Health Care/*ORGANIZATION &
       ADMIN  *Prostitution  Substance Abuse/*THERAPY  Substance Abuse
       Treatment Centers/*ORGANIZATION & ADMIN  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

