Mortality among Hispanic drug users in Puerto Rico

ABSTRACT

This paper assesses mortality rate for a cohort of drug users in Puerto Rico compared with that of the Island's general population, examining causes of death and estimating relative risk of death. Date and cause of death were obtained from death certificates during 1998. Vital status was confirmed through contact with subjects, family, and friends. HIV/AIDS was the major cause of death (47.7%), followed by homicide (14.6%), and accidental poisoning (6.3%). Females had higher relative risk of death than males in all age categories. Not living with a sex partner and not receiving drug treatment were related to higher mortality due to HIV/AIDS. Drug injection was the only variable explaining relative risk of death due to overdose. Puerto Rico needs to continue developing programs to prevent HIV/AIDS among drug users. Special attention should be given to young women, who appear to be in greatest need of programs to prevent early mortality.