Objective: To identify the risk factors for drug use among young males in Longchuan, Yunnan.
Methods: A non-concurrent cohort study was carried out based on a cross-sectional survey. Demographic, behavioral, and drug-using related information were collected using an anonymous questionnaire. The non-concurrent cohort included the period January 1, 1991 to August 1, 1994. Risk factors were assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis.
Results: The annual incidence of drug use increased between 1991 and 1993. Multivariate analysis identified the following risk factors for drug use: being born to Jingpo ethnic group (OR = 1.8, 95% C.I. 1.2-2.5), being divorced/ widowed/separated (OR = 8.9, 95% C.I. 1.8-43.3), smoking cigarettes (OR = 2.4,95% C.I. 1,6-3.8), having had pre-/extra-marital sex (OR = 1.5, 95% C.I. 1.1-2.2), having been encouraged by friends to try drugs (OR = 8.8, 95% C.I. 6.1-12.9) and having a family member who used drugs in 1991 (OR = 1.5, 95% C.I. 1.0-2.3). More than six years of education was a protective factor for drug use (OR = 0.6, 95% C.I. 0.4-0.98). The population attributable fractions were 70.8% for being encouraged by friends or others to try drugs, 50% for smoking cigarettes and 24% for being Jingpo ethnic group.
Conclusion: Results suggested that community based programs to change attitudes towards smoking cigarettes and drug use could dramatically reduce the incidence of new drug users in Longchuan County. We, therefore, recommend a community-based intervention program targeting adolescent.