Decrease in substance-using behaviors among Austronesian minority indigenous people after the 2003 SARS outbreak in Taiwan

Background and purpose: Due to the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) pandemic, the World Health Organization placed Taiwan on the travel alert list from May 21 to July 5, 2003. This study explores the changes of substance-using behaviors among indigenous residents in Taiwan after the SARS outbreak. Methods: From June 8 to June 10, 2003, a telephone survey was conducted using nation-wide stratified random sampling, i.e., Taipei city versus other cities. Data were collected using the computer-assisted telephone interview system. A total of 1,000 aboriginal respondents aged 18 or above, which included 507 Taipei City residents and 493 residents of other cities, were recruited in this survey. Results: The prevalence of substance-using habits among respondents in terms of cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, and betel nut chewing were 27.7%, 36.1%, and 18.9%, respectively. Substantial decrease in the amount of substance use were found after the SARS outbreak. The outcome of using less or much less of the substance were found in cigarette smokers (11.2 % used less and 9.7 % used much less), alcohol drinkers (14.9 % used less and 18.9 % used much less), and betel nut chewers (11.36 % used less and 16.48 % used much less). Conclusion: The society's experience of a newly emerging infectious disease has had great impact on indigenous people's behavior related to substance use.