Factors Associated with Having Family/Whānau or Close Friends Who Used Alcohol or Other Drugs in Harmful Ways among University Students in New Zealand.

Ben Wamamili,Pauline Stewart,Mark Wallace-Bell

doi:10.3390/ijerph19010243

Abstract

The consequences of alcohol and other drug (AoD) use are well documented. This study investigated factors associated with having family/whānau or close friend who used AoD in harmful ways in New Zealand. Data came from a July–August 2020 cross-sectional survey of students from eight universities (n = 946). Participants were asked if they had family/whānau or close friends in New Zealand who consumed alcohol or used other drugs (cannabis, ecstasy/MDMA, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, prescription drugs, inhalants, or other) in a way that negatively impacted them, their family, or close friends in the last 12 months. Logistic regression assessed associations of having family/whānau or close friend who used AoD harmfully with student characteristics. Of respondents, 36.2% (33.1–39.4) had family/whānau or close friend who had consumed alcohol harmfully, and 42.9% (39.5–46.3) had family/whānau or close friend who had used at least one drug harmfully. Respondents’ age and ethnicity were significantly associated with having family/whānau or close friend who used AoD harmfully. The results suggest widespread harmful AoD use and potentially significant second-hand effects of AoD use in New Zealand. These data can be used to supplement information from traditional in-person surveys of individuals using alcohol and other drug (e.g., the New Zealand Health Survey).

Highlights

Academic Editor: Carol CunradiThe negative consequences of alcohol and other drug use (AoD)on the health, economic, and social aspects of individuals and communities are well documented [1,2]
Māori had significantly higher odds of having family/whānau member or close friend who consumed alcohol in a harmful way compared with non-Māori (AOR = 2.50, 95% CI: 1.50 to 4.18)
Respondents who were aged 25–34 had higher odds than respondents aged 18–24 of having family/whānau or close friend who used ecstasy/MDMA in a harmful way (AOR = 2.88, 95% CI: 1.53 to 5.43)

Summary

Introduction

On the health, economic, and social aspects of individuals and communities are well documented [1,2]. Alcohol is one of the most widely used substances globally and is part of many cultural, religious, and social practices [3]. Survey (NZHS) show that in 2020/21, four in five (78.5%) adults aged 15+ years consumed an alcoholic drink and one in five (19.9%) engaged in hazardous drinking (defined as an established pattern of drinking that carries a high risk of damage to physical or mental health) [4]. Men were 2.0 times more likely than women, and Māori New Zealand) were 1.7 times more likely than non-Māori to be hazardous drinkers.

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion