Predictors of homelessness among vulnerably housed adults in 3 Canadian cities: a prospective cohort study

BMC Public Health

Research Article

Anita Palepu¹  Anne Gadermann¹  Matthew J. To²  Rosane Nisenbaum²  Vachan Misir²  Evie Gogosis²  Stephen W. Hwang³  Susan Farrell⁴  Tim Aubry⁵  Rebecca Cherner⁵ 

[1] Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada;Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 30 Bond Street, M5B 1W8, Toronto, ON, Canada;Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 30 Bond Street, M5B 1W8, Toronto, ON, Canada;Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada;Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, Ottawa, ON, Canada;University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada;

关键词: Homeless persons;    Housing;    Urban health;    Substance-related disorders;    Public health;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12889-016-3711-8

 received in 2016-04-10, accepted in 2016-09-23,  发布年份 2016

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundHomelessness is a major concern in many urban communities across North America. Since vulnerably housed individuals are at risk of experiencing homelessness, it is important to identify predictive factors linked to subsequent homelessness in this population. The objectives of this study were to determine the probability of experiencing homelessness among vulnerably housed adults over three years and factors associated with higher risk of homelessness.MethodsVulnerably housed adults were recruited in three Canadian cities. Data on demographic characteristics, chronic health conditions, and drug use problems were collected through structured interviews. Housing history was obtained at baseline and annual follow-up interviews. Generalized estimating equations were used to characterize associations between candidate predictors and subsequent experiences of homelessness during each follow-up year.ResultsAmong 561 participants, the prevalence of homelessness was 29.2 % over three years. Male gender (AOR = 1.59, 95 % CI: 1.14–2.21) and severe drug use problems (AOR = 1.98, 95 % CI: 1.22–3.20) were independently associated with experiencing homelessness during the follow-up period. Having ≥3 chronic conditions (AOR = 0.55, 95 % CI: 0.33–0.94) and reporting higher housing quality (AOR = 0.99, 95 % CI: 0.97–1.00) were protective against homelessness.ConclusionsVulnerably housed individuals are at high risk for experiencing homelessness. The study has public health implications, highlighting the need for enhanced access to addiction treatment and improved housing quality for this population.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2016