Homeless population, vulnerabilities and drugs: A systematic review

Abstract

This article aims to make a systematic review of the following determinants: poverty, stigma, race and vulnerability among the homeless drug users. For this, a systematic review was conducted using the Scielo Br, PepSiC, PubMed and Redalyc databases. At the end of the procedures 79 articles were selected. Significant difference was noted in the studies conducted in the United States and in Latin America. While the former tends to prioritize studies with large samples focused on risk analysis and quantification of categories, Latin researches tend to contextualize the conditions of inequality and poverty, while using participatory methodologies and approach an analysis of vulnerabilities. The results indicate incipient discussions that articulate these categories and include some the various vulnerabilities to which these individuals are exposed throughout their lives, as well aaas point to the need for a new analytical category of understanding regarding this matter.