Polysubstance use among national samples of in-school adolescents in Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract

This study aimed to provide estimates on current polysubstance use among adolescents in three Caribbean countries. Cross-sectional and national school health survey data (2016-2017) were analysed from 6 269 adolescents (median age = 15 years) in Dominican Republic (n = 1 306), Jamaica (n = 1 455), and Trinidad and Tobago (n = 3 508). More than one in ten of the participating students engaged in current polysubstance use. In the adjusted multinomial logistic regression analysis, the associations with current polysubstance use were stronger than with current single substance use among older adolescents (15-18 years or older), male sex, with passive smoking, high psychological distress, frequent soft drink consumption (≥3 times/day), and frequent fast-food consumption (≥ 3 days/week). Additionally, school truancy and parental tobacco use were associated with current polysubstance use, while adolescents reporting parental support were less likely have current single and polysubstance use. Intervention strategies to prevent and treat substance abuse by teenagers should prioritise psychosocial factors.

Keywords:

• Caribbean adolescents
• physical distress
• polysubstance use
• psychological distress
• social-environmental factors

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the data source of the World Health Organization NCD Microdata Repository (URL: https://extranet.who.int/ncdsmicrodata/index.php/catalog).