Lifetime, 5-year and past-year prevalence of homelessness in Europe: a cross-national survey in eight European nations. Issue 11 (1st December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Taylor, Owen; Loubiere, Sandrine; Tinland, Aurelie; Vargas-Moniz, Maria; Spinnewijn, Freek; Manning, Rachel; Gaboardi, Marta; Wolf, Judith R L M; Bokszczanin, Ana; Bernad, Roberto; Kallmen, Hakan; Toro, Paul; Ornelas, Jose; Auquier, Pascal
• Other Names: author non-byline.; Vargas-Moniz Maria J author non-byline.; Jorge-Monteiro Maria F author non-byline.; Greenwood Ronni M author non-byline.; Manning Rachel M author non-byline.; O'Shaughnessy Branagh author non-byline.; Almas Inês author non-byline.; Duarte Teresa author non-byline.; Disperati Francesca author non-byline.; Gaboardi Marta author non-byline.; Lenzi Michela author non-byline.; Santinello Massimo author non-byline.; Vieno Alessio author non-byline.; Marques Rita P author non-byline.; Carmona Maria author non-byline.; Nave Américo author non-byline.; Spinnewijn Freek author non-byline.; Bernad Roberto author non-byline.; Rivero Borja author non-byline.; Julián Martin author non-byline.; Bokszczanin Anna author non-byline.; Zmaczynska–Witek Barbara author non-byline.; Katarzyna Skałacka author non-byline.; Rogowska Aleksandra author non-byline.; Schel Sandra author non-byline.; Peters Yvonne author non-byline.; Loenen Tessa van author non-byline.; Raben Liselotte author non-byline.; Wolf Judith R author non-byline.; Beijer Ulla author non-byline.; Blid Mats author non-byline.; Kallmen Hakan author non-byline.; Bispo Teresa author non-byline.; Cruz Tiago author non-byline.; Pereira Carla author non-byline.; Auquier Pascal author non-byline.; Petit Junie M author non-byline.; Taylor Owen author non-byline.; Loubière Sandrine author non-byline.; Tinland Aurélie author non-byline.;
• Is Part Of: BMJ open. Volume 9:Issue 11(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-12-01
• Subjects: prevalence -- homelessness -- public health -- Europe; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; 610.72
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033237
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-6055

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: To examine the lifetime, 5-year and past-year prevalence of homelessness among European citizens in eight European nations. Design: A nationally representative telephone survey using trained bilingual interviewers and computer-assisted telephone interview software. Setting: The study was conducted in France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. Participants: European adult citizens, selected from opt-in panels from March to December 2017. Total desired sample size was 5600, with 700 per country. Expected response rates of approximately 30% led to initial sample sizes of 2500 per country. Main outcome measures: History of homelessness was assessed for lifetime, past 5 years and past year. Sociodemographic data were collected to assess correlates of homelessness prevalence using generalised linear models for clustered and weighted samples. Results: Response rates ranged from 30.4% to 33.5% (n=5631). Homelessness prevalence was 4.96% for lifetime (95% CI 4.39% to 5.59%), 1.92% in the past 5 years (95% CI 1.57% to 2.33%) and 0.71% for the past year (95% CI 0.51% to 0.98%) and varied significantly between countries (pairwise comparison difference test, p<0.0001). Time spent homeless ranged between less than a week (21%) and more than a year (18%), with high contrasts between countries (p<0.0001). Male gender, age 45–54, lower secondary education, single status, unemployment and an urban environment were all independently strongly associated with lifetime homelessness (all OR >1.5). Conclusions: The prevalence of homelessness among the surveyed nations is significantly higher than might be expected from point-in-time and homeless service use statistics. There was substantial variation in estimated prevalence across the eight nations. Coupled with the well-established health impacts of homelessness, medical professionals need to be aware of the increased health risks of those with experience of homelessness. These findings support policies aiming to improve health services for people exposed to homelessness.