Estimating the prevalence of crack dependence using capture-recapture with institutional and field data: a three-city study in The Netherlands

Subst Use Misuse. 2013 Jan;48(1-2):173-80. doi: 10.3109/10826084.2012.748073.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of crack dependence in the three largest Dutch cities (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague), stratified by gender and age. Three-sample capture-recapture, using data (collected between 2009 and 2011) from low threshold substitution treatment (n = 1,764), user rooms (n = 546), and a respondent-driven sample (n = 549), and applying log-linear modeling (covariates: gender, age, and city), provided a prevalence rate of 0.51% (95% CI: 0.46%-0.60%) for the population aged 15-64 years, with similar estimates for the three cities. Females (23.0% of total estimate) and younger crack users (12.8% aged <35 years) might be underrepresented in drug user treatment services.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Cities / epidemiology
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Crack Cocaine*
  • Female
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Models, Statistical*
  • Netherlands / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Sex Characteristics

Substances

  • Crack Cocaine