[Risk factors for initiation of drug use among young males in Longchuan, Yunnan].
OBJECTIVE
To identify the risk factors for drug use among young males in Longchuan, Yunnan.


METHODS
A non-concurrent cohort study was carried out based on a cross-sectional survey. Demographic, behavioral, and drug-using related information were collected using an anonymous questionnaire. The non-concurrent cohort included the period January 1, 1991 to August 1, 1994. Risk factors were assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis.


RESULTS
The annual incidence of drug use increased between 1991 and 1993. Multivariate analysis identified the following risk factors for drug use: being born to Jingpo ethnic group (OR = 1.8, 95% C.I. 1.2-2.5), being divorced/ widowed/separated (OR = 8.9, 95% C.I. 1.8-43.3), smoking cigarettes (OR = 2.4,95% C.I. 1,6-3.8), having had pre-/extra-marital sex (OR = 1.5, 95% C.I. 1.1-2.2), having been encouraged by friends to try drugs (OR = 8.8, 95% C.I. 6.1-12.9) and having a family member who used drugs in 1991 (OR = 1.5, 95% C.I. 1.0-2.3). More than six years of education was a protective factor for drug use (OR = 0.6, 95% C.I. 0.4-0.98). The population attributable fractions were 70.8% for being encouraged by friends or others to try drugs, 50% for smoking cigarettes and 24% for being Jingpo ethnic group.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggested that community based programs to change attitudes towards smoking cigarettes and drug use could dramatically reduce the incidence of new drug users in Longchuan County. We, therefore, recommend a community-based intervention program targeting adolescent.
Wu
Z
Z
Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine, Beijing.
Zhang
J
J
Li
Z
Z
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires