A prospective longitudinal model of substance use onset among South African adolescents.
Substance use onset among Colored adolescents between eighth and ninth grades in an urban area of Cape Town, South Africa was examined using latent transition analysis. Longitudinal self-report data regarding substance use (N= 1118, 50.9% female) were collected in 2004 and 2005. Results indicated that the pattern of onset was similar across genders; adolescents first tried either alcohol or cigarettes, followed by both, then dagga (cannabis), and then inhalants. The prevalence of lifetime cigarette use was slightly greater for females; dagga (cannabis) and inhalant use were greater for males. The similarity of developmental onset in the current sample to previous international work supports the promise of adapting prevention programs across contexts. The study's limitations are noted.
Patrick
Megan E
ME
Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, 426 Thompson St., Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1248, USA. meganpat@isr.umich.edu
Collins
Linda M
LM
Smith
Edward
E
Caldwell
Linda
L
Flisher
Alan
A
Wegner
Lisa
L
D000293:Adolescent; D017668:Age of Onset; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D013019:South Africa; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001741:Black or African American