Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Use, Mental Health and Treatment Ne
Thursday, September 15, 2022
Posted by: Natalia Gromov
Subica
AM, Guerrero EG, Martin TKK, et al.
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Use, Mental Health and Treatment Need in the
United States During COVID-19.
[published online ahead of print, 2022 Aug 11]. Drug Alcohol Rev.
2022;10.1111/dar.13522. doi:10.1111/dar.13522
Introduction. Before
COVID-19, Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders (NH/PI) endured a heavy burden of
alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) use in prior US data. Responding to
reports that many NH/PI communities experienced severe COVID-19 disparities
that could exacerbate their ATOD burden, we partnered with NH/PI communities to
assess the substance use patterns and treatment needs of diverse NH/PIs during
COVID-19.
Methods. Collaborating
with NH/PI community organisations across five states with large NH/PI
populations, we conducted a large-scale investigation of NH/PI ATOD use, mental
health and treatment need during COVID-19. Between April and November 2021,
NH/PI-heritage research staff from our community partners collected data
involving 306 NH/PI adults using several community-based recruitment methods
(e-mail, telephone, in-person) and two survey approaches: online and
paper-and-pencil. Multivariate regressions were conducted to examine potential
predictors of NH/PI alcohol use disorder and need for behavioural health
treatment.
Results. During
COVID-19, 47% and 22% of NH/PI adults reported current alcohol and cigarette
use, while 35% reported lifetime illicit substance use (e.g., cannabis,
opioid). Depression and anxiety were high, and alcohol use disorder, major
depression and generalised anxiety disorder prevalence were 27%, 27% and 19%,
respectively. One-third of participants reported past-year treatment need with
lifetime illicit substance use, COVID-19 distress and major depression
respectively associating with 3.0, 1.2, and 5.3 times greater adjusted odds for
needing treatment.
Conclusions. NH/PI
adults reported heavy ATOD use, depression, anxiety and treatment need during
COVID-19. Targeted research and treatment services may be warranted to mitigate
COVID-19's negative behavioural health impact on NH/PI communities.
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