title: Using Population Based Data on Drugs Abuse to Estimate the Relative Need for Medical Services in Thailand.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Epidemiological background shows a trend in drug abuse and essential need for revising its strategic plans, allocating resources, and advocating services for populations. The relative need for drug abuse prevention and medical services across different geographic areas of Thailand, which has been examined through an analysis of existing population-based datasets and reported routinely. The objective was to develop an indicator of relative need for drug abuse prevention and medical services.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative data were collected as primary data sources from 10 focus group discussions throughout Thailand. The primary data were integrated into study framework with the result from literature review. Data sets in 2011 were retrieved from the national databank to obtain variables regarding drug abuse. Multiple regression and factor analysis were undertaken using the district as the unit of analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A factor analysis, which revealed six factors that explained 64% of the variance in the data set. Factors identified in the analysis were taken as indicators of variation in the need for services as all of the drugs-related variables loaded strongly on these factors. The distribution of ranks for factor scores (determined through regression) obtained for these factors across districts in Thailand showed that scores were highest in urban and suburban areas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In terms of practical implications, the study results could be used for resource allocation in medical service plans for community drug abuse.
authors.forename: Poonrut
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leyatikul
authors.forename: Manop
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kanato
mesh_terms: D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology