9th December 1997

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The University of Ulster is offering a new course aimed at confronting and overcoming stereotypes of the disabled in association with the disability equality campaign group Rights Now (NI).

But tuberculosis, a growing problem among homeless people in GB, has not re-appeared as a problem in the Province.

Those are just some of the findings to emerge from a three year University of Ulster study into the health needs of the homeless in Northern Ireland.

The Single Homeless Healthcare Project, funded by Making Belfast Work was established to carry out research in to the nature, type and extent of physical health problems among the Belfast's homeless people, and to provide policy recommendations to enhance healthcare services for this vulnerable section of society.

University of Ulster Lecturer in Health Sciences Carol Curran carried out the research, working with people from 19 homelessness hostels and B&B establishments in Belfast

She said: "We interviewed 125 respondents, and x-rayed them. From the survey, we realised that the health of homeless people in Northern Ireland is worse that the health of similar populations in GB. " Homeless ness in NI isn't of the very obvious 'cardboard city' type that can been seen in London, said Curran.. Rather, she argues, its presence is hidden by the availability of hostel accommodation .

"One of the key thrusts behind the research project was that fact that there is very little documented research about the health of single homeless people in NI. We also wanted to find out if there was any evidence of TB, because TB is becoming a problem among homeless people in GB.

Fortunately, active pulmonary tuberculosis was not found among the homeless people who had chest x-rays as part of the survey process.

But the survey population were found to be significantly worse in terms of gastro-intestinal problems, smoking related ailments and physical joint pain.

The Province's homeless population is also much older than its GB counterpart, the research study found.

Homelessness & Health

Said researcher Carol Curran: " We were looking at single homelessness, and the bulk of our client group were elderly men. They're pretty unglamorous, and lack the immediate emotional impact of homeless mothers and children. But their needs are still very real. And they experience longer periods of homelessness on average."

"The biggest impact we've had is in taking work away from Belfast A&E departments. With nurses working in the homeless hostels, they are able to spot potential health problems much earlier, and prevent them worsening to the crisis point where emergency hospital treatment may be required.

"Where in the past the hotels may have had two people per week taken into hospital as emergency admission via casualty, that number is now down to around two per month - a 60% reduction.

"The presence of a nurse, someone who's familiar, reliable and trusted, seem to be what makes all the difference in helping residents begin to take a renewed interest in themselves and look after the health better," she said.

One spin-off from the project has been a greatly increased registration of homeless people with GPs. They did, said Curran note a certain level of reluctance among GPs to take homeless people and hotel dwellers on to their lists - but that initial resistance has now been overcome.

With the end of the project's funding in sight, Mrs Curran's team are now beginning to approach other bodies to support the unique skill mix of health education and hands-on practical nursing that's been developed by the project team.

Summary of research results:

46% had been homeless for more than 7 months
85% were male, 15% female
67% were of NI origin, with 12% from England, the next most common origin
25% were aged between 45-60
41% cited 'relationship breakdown' as the reason for becoming homeless
47.2% suffered from gastrointestinal problems
27.2% stated that they were users of illegal drugs Most common age for drug use was 25-35. Cannabis was the most commonly used illegal substance.
76.8% were users of tobacco products. Of those, 39% smoked more than 20 cigarettes per day
67.2 % were alcohol users, and of those, 22.4% drank more than the recommended units of alcohol per week
20.8% reported having cardiovascular problems
25% suffered from respiratory problems

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk