4727.0.55.002 - Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey: Users' Guide, 2012-13  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 27/11/2013  First Issue
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Contents >> Health Risk Factors >> Substance use

SUBSTANCE USE

Definition

This topic refers to the misuse of prescription drugs and/or the use of illicit drugs.

Population

Information was obtained for persons 15 years and over in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS) who were present at the interview.

Methodology

The collection method for this topic varied between non-remote and remote areas. Due to the potentially sensitive nature of the questions, responses to these questions were voluntary. In non-remote areas, people answered questions using a Computer Assisted Self Interviewing instrument. In remote areas, people were personally interviewed, however, a Computer Assisted Interviewing instrument was still utilised. All respondents were allowed to not answer any of the questions, and recorded as non-response for those items.

Permission from a parent/guardian was required before people aged 15-17 years could answer any questions. The parent/guardian was able to view the uncompleted form/content of the questions, however, they were not allowed to see/hear the responses, as these are confidential and protected under the Census and Statistics Act 1905.

Respondents were asked whether they had ever used the following types of prescription drugs:

  • pain killers or analgesics
  • tranquilisers or sleeping pills
  • methadone.

If a person had used these types of drugs, they were asked if they had used them for non-medical purposes/when they were not sick. If so, they were then asked if they had used the drug in this way in the 12 months prior to interview.

People were also asked whether they had ever:
  • used marijuana, hashish or cannabis resin
  • sniffed petrol
  • sniffed glue, solvents, paint thinners, aerosols or anything else
  • used Kava.

If a person had used these types of drugs at some point in their lifetime, they were also asked if they had used them in the 12 months prior to interview.

Respondents were then asked whether they had ever tried any other substances that they could inject, sniff, chew, smoke or use in some other way. If yes, they were given the following list to choose from:
  • amphetamines or speed
  • heroin
  • cocaine
  • LSD or synthetic hallucinogens
  • naturally occurring hallucinogens
  • ecstasy or designer drugs.

Where possible, the responses were attributed to one of the substance categories, but they may have also been classified as 'other'.

If a person had used a substance at some point in their lifetime, they were also asked if they had used that substance in the 12 months prior to interview.

Data items

The data items and related output categories for this topic are available in Excel spreadsheet format from the Downloads page of this product.

Interpretation

Points to be considered when interpreting data for this topic include the following.
  • Non-remote respondents could privately complete the substance use questions, while remote respondents had the questions read to them by an interviewer.
  • The potentially sensitive and personal nature of these questions may have impacted on respondents willingness to respond, and on the nature of the responses. This may have resulted in under-reporting of substance use, particularly for remote respondents who answered their responses directly to the interviewer and may have other household members present at the interview.
  • Respondents may not report their usage of the 'other' substances as they are not prompted on what 'other' substances may be. These include heroin, cocaine, etc..
  • The extent to which under-reporting has occurred and its effects on the accuracy of survey estimates are unknown.
  • Respondents had to be present at the interview to complete these questions, however, a proxy could assist a respondent to complete the questions.

Comparability with 2004-05 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS)

Data for common items are considered comparable between the 2004-05 NATSIHS and 2012-13 NATSIHS. However, the 2004-05 NATSIHS only collected these data for non-remote respondents. These respondents completed the questions on a separate paper form, which is consistent to the 2012-13 approach of completing these questions privately.

The 2012-13 NATSIHS asked if respondents had ever tried any other substances followed by a list of possible other substances if they stated yes. However, the 2004-05 NATSIHS had separate questions to ask whether the respondent had ever used each of these substances in the 2012-13 list. This may have increased reporting of these substances in the 2004-05 NATSIHS due to stating each substance separately, while respondents in 2012-13 NATSIHS will not have reported these substances if they did not state they had ever tried other substances.

Comparability with 2008 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS)

Data for common items are considered comparable between the 2008 NATSISS and 2012-13 NATSIHS. The only difference between the two surveys is that in the 2008 NATSISS non-remote interview the 'other' substances were collected in the same approach as the 2004-05 NATSIHS, asking for each substance in a separate question, while the remote interview collected these data in the same approach as the 2012-13 NATSIHS. This should not impact comparability of these items.

Comparability with 2011-12 National Health Survey (NHS)

These data are not collected in the 2011-12 NHS.



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