Substance use among a sample of foreign- and U.S.-born southeast Asians in an urban setting.
Asian Americans (AA) are thought to have the lowest rates of substance use. This study examined substance use prevalence among 494 urban-dwelling Southeast Asians using snowball techniques. Prevalence estimates were age-adjusted proportionate to the U.S. Asian population. Findings show beer and alcohol consumption approximated the national percentage among 25-44 year olds. U.S.-born were about three times likelier to have past month substance use. Foreign-born Vietnamese were likelier than U.S.-born to use all substances except for beer. U.S.- and foreign-born beer consumption rates were similar. Future research is needed to delineate substance use determinants and patterns in foreign and U.S.-born AA sub-groups.
Wong
Frank Y
FY
Department of International Health, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA. fyw@georgetown.edu
Huang
Zhihuan Jennifer
ZJ
Thompson
Estina E
EE
De Leon
Jordana M
JM
Shah
Mansi S
MS
Park
Royce J
RJ
Do
Tri D
TD
D000328:Adult; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000208:ethnology*; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000208:ethnology*; D001210:Asia, Southeastern / Q000208:ethnology; D001213:Asian / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004219:District of Columbia; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012036:Refugees / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000208:ethnology*; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*