Substance use among a sample of foreign- and U.S.-born southeast Asians in an urban setting

J Ethn Subst Abuse. 2007;6(1):45-66. doi: 10.1300/J233v06n01_04.

Abstract

Asian Americans (AA) are thought to have the lowest rates of substance use. This study examined substance use prevalence among 494 urban-dwelling Southeast Asians using snowball techniques. Prevalence estimates were age-adjusted proportionate to the U.S. Asian population. Findings show beer and alcohol consumption approximated the national percentage among 25-44 year olds. U.S.-born were about three times likelier to have past month substance use. Foreign-born Vietnamese were likelier than U.S.-born to use all substances except for beer. U.S.- and foreign-born beer consumption rates were similar. Future research is needed to delineate substance use determinants and patterns in foreign and U.S.-born AA sub-groups.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alcohol-Related Disorders / ethnology*
  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Alcoholism / ethnology*
  • Asia, Southeastern / ethnology
  • Asian / statistics & numerical data*
  • Cross-Cultural Comparison
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • District of Columbia
  • Emigration and Immigration*
  • Female
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pilot Projects
  • Refugees / statistics & numerical data*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / ethnology*
  • Urban Population / statistics & numerical data*