TY - JOUR T1 - Health and use of health services of people who are homeless and at risk of homelessness who receive free primary health care in Dublin JF - BMC Health Services Research Y1 - 2015 A1 - Keogh, C A1 - O'Brien, K A1 - Hoban, A A1 - O'Carroll, A A1 - Fahey, T AB - Background Homeless populations experience poorer physical and mental health, and more barriers to accessing adequate healthcare. This study investigates the health of this population, following the provision of a free to access primary care service for homeless people in Dublin (Safetynet). The health of this group will be compared to previous studies on homelessness conducted in Dublin prior to the establishment of this service (in 1997 and 2005). Methods Participants were recruited through Safetynet clinics. A 133-item questionnaire was administered to determine participants’ physical and mental well-being, use of health services and healthcare needs. Prescription data was extracted from participants’ electronic health records. Results A total of 105 participants were recruited. The majority were < 45 years of age (69%), male (75%), single (52%), Irish (74%) and had children (52%). Multimorbidity was common; with 5.3 ± 2.7 (mean ± SD) physical conditions reported per person. A large proportion of participants had at some point received a formal diagnosis of a mental health condition (70%; 73/105), including depression (50%; 52/105), addiction disorder (39%), anxiety (36%; 38/105), schizophrenia (13%; 14/105) and bipolar disorder (6%; 6/105). With regards to illicit drug use, 60% (63/105) of participants reported ever using drugs, while 33% (35/105) reported being active drug users. Based on AUDIT C criteria, 53% had an alcohol problem. Compared to previous studies, participants reported more positive ratings of health (70% vs. 57% in 1997 and 46% in 2005). The proportion of participants on one or more prescription medication was higher than in previous studies (81% vs. 32% in 1997 and 49% in 2005) and there was a decrease in attendance at outpatients departments (17% vs. 27% in 2005) and a trend towards a decrease in attendance at Accident and Emergency departments (A & E) (29% vs. 37% in 2005). Conclusions This vulnerable population has many physical and mental health problems. Use of drugs, alcohol and smoking is common. Following the establishment of Safetynet, self-reported health was rated more positively, there was also a decrease in the use of A & E and outpatient services and an increase in prescription medicines. VL - 15 UR - http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6963/15/58/abstract IS - 58 ER - TY - Generic T1 - Health and use of health services of a homeless population in Dublin: A comparison study. SAPC Conference 2012, 2-4 October 2012, Glasgow, Scotland Y1 - 2012 A1 - O'Connor, D A1 - Keogh, C A1 - Hoban, A A1 - Cronin, M A1 - O'Brien, K A1 - O'Carroll, A A1 - Robinson, J A1 - Fahey, T ER - TY - Generic T1 - Health and Healthcare needs of the homeless in Dublin. Research Summer School, RCSI, October 2011, Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin Y1 - 2011 A1 - Cronin, M A1 - Hoban, A A1 - O'Brien, K A1 - Keogh, C A1 - Robinson, J A1 - O'Carroll, A A1 - Fahey, T UR - http://hrbcentreprimarycare.ie/ppt/Hoban_AUDGPI_final%20poster.pdf ER - TY - Generic T1 - Health and healthcare needs of a homeless population in Dublin. RCSI Research Day, 25 April 2012, Dublin Y1 - 2012 A1 - Hoban, A A1 - Cronin, M A1 - Keogh, C A1 - O'Brien, K A1 - O'Connor, C A1 - O'Carroll, A A1 - Robinson, J A1 - Fahey, T UR - http://hrbcentreprimarycare.ie/ppt/Hoban_AUDGPI_final%20poster.pdf ER - TY - Generic T1 - Health and healthcare needs of a homeless population in Dublin. AUDGPI 2012, 9 March 2012 Dublin Y1 - 2012 A1 - Hoban, A A1 - Cronin, M A1 - Keogh, C A1 - O'Brien, K A1 - O'Connor, C A1 - O'Carroll, A A1 - Robinson, J A1 - Fahey, T UR - http://hrbcentreprimarycare.ie/ppt/Hoban_AUDGPI_final%20poster.pdf ER - TY - Generic T1 - Health, Medication and Use of Health Services in a Homeless Population. SAPC July 9-11 2014 Edinburgh Y1 - 2014 A1 - O'Brien, K A1 - Keogh, C A1 - Hoban, A A1 - O'Carrol, A A1 - Fahey, T ER - TY - Generic T1 - Health and use of health services of a homeless population in Dublin: a comparison study. Accepted for presentation at the Jacqueline Horgan Bronze Medal RCPI Conference. 15th November 2012, Dublin Y1 - 2012 A1 - Keogh, C A1 - Hoban, A A1 - O'Brien, K A1 - O'Carroll, A A1 - Robinson, J A1 - Fahey, T ER -