Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

School

Public Health

Advisor

Nancy Rea

Abstract

AbstractOpioid abuse and overdose are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality rates, as well as social and economic costs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the independent and interactive effects of state-sponsored prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) trained healthcare providers and community-based naloxone distribution program related factors in the states of Florida and Georgia for the prevention and reduction of prescription opioid use disorder, overdose, and deaths. The research theory adopted was the socio-ecological model with an emphasis on risk factors such as age. The study used secondary data from 2014 to 2018 from the Florida and Georgia Departments of Health. The statistical analysis results from one-way ANOVA and multiple linear regression revealed that there is a direct association between the number of state-sponsored PDMPs trained healthcare providers per year and the number of reported opioid overdoses, the number of opioid addiction treatment admissions, and the number of deaths attributed to opioid overdose-related deaths per year among adults 25 to 64 years. The results also showed that there is an association between community-based naloxone distribution, the number of reported opioid overdoses, the number of opioid addiction treatment admissions, and the number of deaths attributed to opioid misuse/overdose per year among adults 25 to 64 years. The positive social impact of the study is that PDMPs, the education of healthcare providers, community use of naloxone, and practice guidelines will reduce misuse, abuse, addiction, diversion, and false acquisition of prescription opioids.

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