The Association of Perceived Neighborhood Environment Factors and Methamphetamine Use among Drug Addicts in Northern, Thailand.

Abstract

Background: Neighborhood environment factors influence health-related behavior, including substance use.
Many researches have focused on the effect of neighborhood factors with drug use in general population;
a few studies have focused on vulnerable group like drug addicts. This study aimed to investigate the
association between neighborhood environment factors and methamphetamine use among drug addicts.
Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 364 drug addicts at drug treatment center in
Northern Thailand. The data collection by using structured interview, including substance use and perceived
neighborhood environment, which conducted by standardized interviewers. Multivariate logistic regression
was applied to interpret the neighborhood environment factors related with methamphetamine use.
Results: The results revealed that most of respondents (65.4%) used methamphetamine and 34.6% used
other illicit drugs. The greater of perceived neighborhood crime (adjusted OR= 2.99, 95% CI: 1.64, 5.49)
and stigma of addiction (adjusted OR= 2.23, 95% CI: 1.23, 4.05) were associated with increased risk of
methamphetamine use. Drug addicts who were male, unemployed and had peers or family used drug were
more likely to use methamphetamine.
Conclusions: The neighborhood factors influence methamphetamine use. Thus, the better understanding
of neighborhood context is important to developing prevention and intervention to reduce substance use.
health-related behavior.