The Epidemiology of Volatile Substance Misuse Among School Children in Bogotá, Colombia

Abstract

Volatile substance misuse (VSM) is increasing among Colombian youth. Rates and correlates of VSM, exposure-opportunity (EO) to VSM, and positive VSM intentions were examined in 2006 among 2,279 students (mean age 14.8 years) in 23 schools in Bogotá, Colombia. Sixteen percent experienced an EO, 3% reported past-year VSM, and 7–10% reported positive VSM intentions. Multilevel-logistic models revealed that VSM among friends was associated with past-year VSM (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 5.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.3–13.6) and VSM intention (AOR = 2.48, 95%CI = 1.6–3.9). Other correlates include male gender, a low perceived risk, and poor academic achievement. At-risk groups were identified, and targeted prevention strategies were suggested. The study's limitations are also noted.

Keywords :

• volatile substance misuse
• inhalant use
• youth
• Colombia
• prevention
• drugs
• exposure-opportunity (EO).

THE AUTHORS

Catalina Lopez-Quintero, M.D., M.P.H., is a Ph.D. candidate at the Braun School of Public Health & Community Medicine, Hebrew University-Hadassah, Jerusalem, Israel. Her doctoral research (under the supervision of Dr. Yehuda Neumark) focuses on the social epidemiology of substance use among high school students in Bogota, Colombia. She is particularly interested in identifying and understanding the factors associated with drug use involvement, and translating the findings of this research into health policy. Catalina's other research interests include health disparities, minority health, children and adolescent health, e-health literacy, HIV/AIDS, mental health, and translational public health.

Yehuda Neumark, Ph.D., M.P.H., is a senior lecturer of epidemiology at the Braun School of Public Health & Community Medicine, Hebrew University-Hadassah, Jerusalem, Israel where he teaches courses in interpretation of epidemiological data, research methods in public health, and community-oriented primary care. He heads the addictions section of the Israeli-arm of the WHO World Mental Health 2000 project. Yehuda's research focuses primarily on social, economic, and genetic variations in the epidemiology of alcohol and drug use, misuse, and dependence and related topics such HIV/AIDS knowledge and risk behaviors.