Estimating The Size Of The Drug Using Population In Three Deep-South Provinces Of Thailand: Results From A Service Multiplier And Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS) Method
- Author:
Muhammad Fahmee Talek
;
Linda B Cottler
;
Sawitri Assanangkornchai
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Drug Abuse;
Size Estimation;
Armed Conflict Area;
Respondent-Driven Sampling
- From:ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry
2017;18(2):40-50
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective: The deep-south provinces of Thailand, the border area where the
population is majority Malay ethnic, have faced with armed-conflicts for the
decade and are a major route for drug trafficking. Several studies have reported
concerns about drug problems among local population but the size of drug using
population has not been studied. The objective of this study is to estimate the size
of drug using population in the deep-south provinces of Thailand. Methods: A
cross-sectional survey, including interviews was conducted in 2016. Males aged
18-40 years who had used any drugs in past six months were recruited.
Respondent-driven sampling method was used to reach the target population
and multiplier method to estimate the size of drug using population. Results: The
estimated number of male using drug population in three deep-south provinces
was 13,545, making the prevalence of 50.2 per 1,000 male population of this age
group, twice as high as the national prevalence. Most drug users were in Pattani
(60.6%), followed by Narathiwas and Yala provinces. Kratom is the illicit drug
with the highest number of current users (85.2% of all users). The majority of
current users (60.6%) used more than one type of illicit drug, with kratom and
methamphetamine being the most common combination (25.6%). Conclusion:
This study depicts the situation of drug abuse in deep-south Thailand. Kratom
was the most popular substance. The high prevalence of drug users in the area
should be of concern by stakeholders and interventions to minimize and control
the abuse are needed.
