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Assessing Pediatric and Young Adult Substance Use Through Analysis of Prehospital Data

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 August 2014

Elizabeth L. Seaman ,
Mathew J. Levy ,
J. Lee Jenkins ,
Cassandra Chiras Godar  and
Kevin G. Seaman
Elizabeth L. Seaman*
Affiliation:
Department of Behavioral and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MarylandUSA
Mathew J. Levy
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MarylandUSA
J. Lee Jenkins
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MarylandUSA
Cassandra Chiras Godar
Affiliation:
Howard County, Department of Fire and Rescue Services, Columbia, MarylandUSA
Kevin G. Seaman
Affiliation:
Howard County, Department of Fire and Rescue Services, Columbia, MarylandUSA
*
Correspondence: Elizabeth Seaman, MHS Department of Behavioral and Community Health School of Public Health University of Maryland 2387 SPH Building, Suite 1224 College Park, Maryland 20742-2611 USA E-mail eseaman@umd.edu
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Abstract

Introduction

Substance use in young adults is a significant and growing problem. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel often encounter this problem, yet the use of prehospital data to evaluate the prevalence and magnitude of substance abuse has been limited.

Hypothesis/Problem

This study evaluated drug and alcohol use through the use of prehospital and EMS data in one suburban county in Maryland (USA). The primary hypothesis was that the type of drug being abused is associated with age. The secondary hypothesis was substance abuse incidence is associated with location. The tertiary hypothesis was that substance abuse is associated with a history of mental illness.

Methods

Deidentified patient care reports (PCRs) were obtained during a 24-month period from October 2010 through September 2012 for patients 0 through 25 years of age. Inclusion criteria included chief complaint of alcohol overdose, drug overdose, or the use of naloxone.

Results

The primary hypothesis was supported that age was associated with drug category (P < .001). Younger adolescents were more likely to use household items, prescription drugs, or over-the-counter drugs, whereas older adolescents were more likely to use illicit drugs. The secondary hypothesis was supported that both alcohol (P < .001) and drugs (P < .001) were associated with location of call. Calls involving alcohol were more likely to be at a home or business, whereas calls involving drugs were more likely to be at home or at a public venue. The tertiary hypothesis was supported that both alcohol (P = .001) and drug use (P < .001) were associated with history of mental illness. Older adolescents were more likely to report a history of mental illness. Chi-squared tests indicated there were significant differences between genders and drug category (P = .002) and gender and current suicide attempt (P = .004). Females were more likely to use prescription drugs, whereas males were more likely to use illicit drugs. Calls involving younger adolescents under 18 were more likely to be at school or the mall, whereas calls involving older adolescents were likely to be at a prison, public venue, or a business.

Conclusion

All three hypotheses were supported: the type of substance being abused was associated with both age and location, and substance abuse was associated with a history of mental illness. This research has important implications for understanding how EMS resources are utilized for substance use. This information is valuable in not only the education and training of prehospital care providers, but also for the targeting of future public health interventions.

SeamanEL, LevyMJ, JenkinsJL, GodarCC, SeamanKG. Assessing Pediatric and Young Adult Substance Use Through Analysis of Prehospital Data. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2014;29(4):1-6.

Keywords

adolescentsambulancepatient care reportspediatricssubstance use
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 29 , Issue 5 , October 2014 , pp. 468 - 472
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2014 

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