title: Using Social Network as a Recruiting Tool for Research on Substance Use in the Taipei Metropolitan Area: Study Design, Implementation, and Epidemiological Estimates.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to evaluate the practical utility of respondent-driven sampling (RDS) among regular tobacco and alcohol users in Taipei, Taiwan.
  
  
  METHODS
  RDS was implemented from 2007 to 2010 to recruit seed individuals who were 18 to 50 years old, regular tobacco and alcohol users, and currently residing in Taipei. Each respondent was asked to refer up to five friends known to be regular tobacco smokers and alcohol drinkers to participate in the present study. Information pertaining to drug use was collected using an audio computer-assisted self-interview instrument. RDSAT software was used for data analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence estimates of illegal-drug-using behaviors attained equilibrium after three to five recruitment waves. Nearly one-fifth of the participants had ever used illegal drugs, of whom over 60% were polydrug users. The RDS-adjusted prevalences of illegal-drug-using behaviors among early-onset smokers were all two or three times higher than those among late-onset smokers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results provided an empirical basis for the practicality and feasibility of using RDS to estimate illegal drug use prevalence among regular tobacco and alcohol users.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University.
authors.forename: Te-Tien
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Ting
authors.forename: Chuan-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yu-Shu
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Yen-Tyng
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Lien-Wen
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Wei J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D015995:Prevalence; D012107:Research Design; D012944:Social Support; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D064424:Tobacco Use / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs