Epidemiology of Substance Use Among Urban Secondary School Children in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the epidemiology of substance use among urban secondary school children in Malaysia. Data were collected from 10% of all secondary students in the city of Kuala Lumpur (n = 8625). Epidemiological data were collected by anonymous questionnaires. Urine samples were collected randomly and anonymously from a subsample unlinked to the questionnaires, and tested for cannabis, opiates, amphetamines and barbiturates (n = 966). Results were analysed from 8532 questionnaires. The age of the adolescents ranged from 11 to 20 years, with a majority of them being between 12 and 18 years of age. The male female ratio is 0.9:1. The ethnic distribution closely represents the distribution of ethnic groups in Kuala Lumpur with 49.2% Chinese, 37.1% Malays, 10.4% Indians and 2.9% others. Use of illicit drugs ever tried was reported by 1.4% (122) of the students. The prevalence of current drug use is 0.1% (10), with a male to female ratio of 1.2:1. The age distribution showed that the peak prevalence was seen among the 14-15 years age group. More than 90% of these adolescents claimed to have kicked the habit. Of the 966 urine samples tested, four were positive for morphine (0 4%). The above results may not be alarming but this may be the tip of the iceberg because many adolescents may not want to be identified with such activities. Combined efforts are needed by parents and schools to intensify health education for children, even at primary schools.