Alcoholism and somatic comorbidity among homeless people in Mannheim, Germany.

Aims: To assess the prevalence of alcoholism and somatic codisorders of homeless people.

Design: Epidemiological cross-sectional field study in a sample of the homeless in the area.

Setting: The study was conducted from 1997 to 1999 in the inner-city area of Mannheim, Germany (approximately 320 000 inhabitants).