JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) populations have diverse cultural, immigration, and sociodemographic characteristics. Aggregated data could mask substantial differences in substance use between cultural subgroups in this population. Yet, studies examining substance use among the AANHPI population are limited.

Objective:

This study aimed to describe cigarette, cannabis, and alcohol use among Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) adults by cultural subgroup and sex.

Methods:

We analyzed data from 3,411 AANHPI respondents of a multilingual national survey “COMPASS” during December 2021- May 2022. Primary outcomes were self-report current (every day or some days) use of cigarettes, cannabis, and alcohol. Cultural subgroups included Asian Indian, Ethnic Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI), Vietnamese, Other cultural groups, and mixed groups. Other covariates include sex, other sociodemographics, experiences of discrimination (Every Day Discrimination Scale), and mental health (PHQ-4). Multivariable logistic regressions were used to examine correlates of each substance use among AANHPI.

Results:

The prevalence of current cigarette, cannabis and alcohol use was 4.2%, 5.5% and 37.6%, respectively. Cigarette use ranged from 1.0% in Asian Indian females to 14.8% in multicultural males. Cannabis use ranged from 1.9% among Asian Indian and Vietnamese males to 15.7% in multicultural females. Alcohol use varied from 6.6%% in NHPI females to 56.3% among multicultural males. Male participants with elevated depression and anxiety symptoms were more likely to report using all three substances than males with minimal symptoms. However, depression and anxiety symptoms were only associated with cannabis and alcohol use among female participants. US-born female participants were more likely to report using all three substances compared to foreign-born females, while being US-born was only associated with higher odds of alcohol use among males. Perceived discriminatory experience was associated with higher odds of smoking in both sexes and alcohol drinking in males.

Conclusions:

Cigarette smoking, cannabis and alcohol use varied widely across AANHPI cultural groups, between and within each sex. These findings underscore the necessity to disaggregate data for substance use behaviors to guide health policy and intervention programs for AANHPIs.