Effect of Unobserved Contextual Factors on the Prevalence
of New Psychoactive Substance Use in Thailand
Poonrut Leyatikul PhD¹, Somdej Pinitsoontorn MD², Manop Kanato PhD²
Affiliation :
¹ Faculty of Public Health, Vongchavalitkul University, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand ² Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Objective : To explore the associations of characteristics of the cluster environment with new psychoactive substances (NPS) use in Thailand.
Materials and Methods : A cross-sectional study was done on 30,411 Thai people, stratified in multi-stage cluster sampling. Trained interviewers conducted a semi-structured interview in 2016. A multilevel binary logistic regression model was employed to estimate the effects of the cluster environment on the NPS use.
Results : NPS was widely used. The past month prevalence was 13.6%, and habitual use was 4.4%. Clustering significantly affects the spread of NPS use. Controlling for cluster effects, a likelihood of current NPS use was associated with elementary education, occupation, and reported health problems. While a higher likelihood of habitual NPS use was associated with elementary education, employed, and perceived mental health problem.
Conclusion : NPS use was influenced by characteristics of the cluster environment. Therefore, demand reduction strategies should be designed based on a consideration of the impact of cluster context on NPS use behaviors.
Received 30 June 2020 | Revised 8 September 2020 | Accepted 9 September 2020
doi.org/10.35755/jmedassocthai.2021.02.11592
Keywords :
Cluster effect, New psychoactive substance, NPS, Thailand
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