Abstract
Background: Individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) are at greater risk for chronic disease but often face barriers to access and uptake of preventive screenings, so the aim of this study was to identify rates and predictors for intention to get preventive screenings among residents at two recovery centers.
Methods: We used a cross-sectional survey (N=95, response rate 51%) to determine previous screening rates and the intention to get recommended preventive screenings among residents of two long-term recovery programs in Athens, GA, using bivariate analysis with chi-square to look for associations with intention.
Results: Prior use of preventive health services among our participants was lower than current US rates and positively associated with intention to get future recommended screenings (p=0.041) along with trends of higher intention among women and those with fair/poor dental health, good/excellent mental health, and had spent three or more months in the program.
Conclusions: The findings suggest a need for targeted interventions to improve uptake of preventive screenings among individuals in recovery from SUDs.
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Recommended Citation
Hossain, Afsha; Majeed, Ban A.; and Bruner, Lia Pierson
(2026)
"Rates and Predictors of Intention to Get Preventive Screenings Among Individuals in Recovery from Substance Use Disorders,"
Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association: Vol. 11:
No.
1, Article 10.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/jgpha/vol11/iss1/10
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Family Medicine Commons, Preventive Medicine Commons, Primary Care Commons, Public Health Commons, Substance Abuse and Addiction Commons