Use of health care services by women who use crack cocaine

Chronic drug users demonstrate a need for access to health care due to both acute health problems related directly to substance use and to other exist ing medical problems. This study attempts to examine how women differ from men in their utilization of health services. Also, it analyzes how crack us e affects men and women differentially. The study population is a community -based sample of 624, comprised equally of men and women, as well as crack users and non-users of crack. Results indicate that women utilized health c are more than men; however, crack use among women appears to be an inhibito ry factor in the utilization of health services by women.