Table. 3.
Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis of factors associated with EMS-calling among PWUD in Vancouver, British Columbia (n = 540)
| Characteristic | Unadjusted odds ratio (95% CI) | p value | Adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) | p value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age | ||||
| Per year older | 1.02 (1.01–1.03) | 0.004 | 1.02 (1.00–1.03) | 0.090 |
| White (vs. non-white) | 1.02 (0.73–1.44) | 0.897 | 1.09 (0.72–1.63) | 0.690 |
| Male (vs. non-male) | 0.88 (0.61–1.27) | 0.493 | 0.91 (0.58–1.42) | 0.683 |
| < Secondary school education | 0.91 (0.64–1.27) | 0.570 | 0.85 (0.56–1.27) | 0.424 |
| DTES residencya | 1.93 (1.36–2.74) | < 0.001 | 1.96 (1.23–3.13) | 0.005 |
| Place of residencea | ||||
| Homeless | 0.80 (0.50–1.27) | 0.347 | 0.71 (0.38–1.31) | 0.278 |
| Single room occupancy | 0.81 (0.54–1.21) | 0.310 | 0.51 (0.30–0.86) | 0.013 |
| Other (e.g., apartment, house, no fixed address) | Reference | Reference | – | |
| Ever incarcerated | 1.44 (0.89–2.36) | 0.140 | 1.14 (0.63–2.06) | 0.666 |
| Ever had a negative police encounterb | 1.00 (0.70–1.44) | 0.979 | 0.93 (0.60–1.45) | 0.764 |
| Ever administered naloxonea | ||||
| Did not administer | Reference | – | Reference | – |
| One or two times | 1.60 (1.06–2.42) | 0.026 | 1.50 (0.94–2.43) | 0.093 |
| Three or more | 1.80 (1.09–3.01) | 0.023 | 2.00 (1.08–3.74) | 0.029 |
| Witnessed a known person overdoseac | 1.20 (0.85–1.69) | 0.299 | 1.08 (0.71–1.65) | 0.714 |
| Ever experienced an overdosea | 1.09 (0.75–1.59) | 0.637 | 0.85 (0.54–1.34) | 0.498 |
| Involved in the sex tradead | 1.18 (0.71–1.96) | 0.520 | 1.19 (0.62–2.30) | 0.605 |
| Involved in drug dealinga | 1.12 (0.76–1.64) | 0.577 | 1.06 (0.64–1.76) | 0.815 |
| At least daily drug use | ||||
| Injection drug use | 1.28 (0.91–1.80) | 0.156 | 1.02 (0.63–1.67) | 0.925 |
| Heroine | 1.14 (0.80–1.61) | 0.464 | 1.11 (0.67–1.82) | 0.689 |
| Stimulantsef | 1.17 (0.82–1.66) | 0.390 | 1.11 (0.71–1.75) | 0.651 |
| Cannabis | 0.68 (0.47–0.98) | 0.037 | 0.72 (0.46–1.12) | 0.144 |
| Post-enactment period | 0.99 (0.71–1.39) | 0.971 | 0.81 (0.52–1.25) | 0.344 |
DTES Downtown Eastside, EMS Emergency medical services, PWUD People who use drugs
Reference category = Did not call EMS
aDenotes behaviours and events in the past six months
bPolice encounter refers to being stopped, searched or detained by the police
cA known person includes a sex partner or a friend
dSex trade refers to exchanged sex for gifts, food, shelter, clothes, or money
eInjection or non-injection drug use
fStimulants refer to powder or crack cocaine or crystal methamphetamine