Substance Use among Chinese, Filipino, and Vietnamese males living in the San Francisco Peninsula

Background: Substance use is prevalent among adults of differing Asian ethnic groups; however, only a few studies have documented these differences. Not much is known about Asian sub-population's substance use and related prevention and treatment needs, since most available information from drug use surveys and the resultant reported data are aggregated. An intervention study collected data on Chinese, Filipino and Vietnamese high-risk adults to identify drug use patterns. Method Study participants (n=126) took part in a 5-week intervention study to address substance abuse, Hepatitis C and HIV among high-risk adults in the cities of San Francisco, Daly City and San Jose. Data reported was collected at baseline using The National Outcome Measures (NOMS) questionnaire, an instrument developed by the Center of Substance Abuse Prevention. The NOMS was used to document individual substance use in the past 30 days. Results Filipinos reported higher use rates for alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana and crack cocaine in the last 30 days compared to their Chinese and Vietnamese counterparts; and these differences were statistically significant (p<.03). Filipino and Vietnamese MSM reported alcohol use which was significantly greater than their Chinese counterparts (p=.04). Age group analyses indicated a positive association between those ages 18-25 years old for alcohol use (OR=5.40, p=.00). Conclusion Project data confirmed the importance of disaggregation of data. If collapsed into a general Asian or Asian and Pacific Islander ethnic group category, as is often the case, the unique behaviors of the individual groups would be lost.