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. 2008 May;98(5):862-8.
doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2006.108142. Epub 2008 Apr 1.

The influence of perceived risk to health and immigration-related characteristics on substance use among Latino and other immigrants

Victoria D Ojeda  1 , Thomas L Patterson, Steffanie A Strathdee
Affiliations

The influence of perceived risk to health and immigration-related characteristics on substance use among Latino and other immigrants

Victoria D Ojeda et al. Am J Public Health. 2008 May.

Abstract

Objectives: We examined whether immigration-related characteristics and perceptions of risk surrounding substance use were independently associated with lifetime use of cigarettes and various illicit substances among immigrant and native-born Latino and non-Latino White adults in the United States.

Methods: Data were from the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Analyses were limited to Latinos and non-Latino Whites 18 years and older. We used cross-tabulations and multivariate logistic regression to test relations between risk perceptions, immigration characteristics, and substance use.

Results: More than two thirds of all respondents perceived moderate or great risk to health and well-being associated with all substances analyzed. The odds of lifetime substance use by Latino and non-Latino White immigrants were lower than for US-born non-Latino Whites. Immigrant Latinos' odds of lifetime substance use were lower than for US-born Latinos. Moderate or great perceived risk was associated with lower likelihood of lifetime use of all substances except cigarettes.

Conclusions: Foreign birth appeared to protect against substance use among both Latino and non-Latino White immigrants. Future studies should examine potential protective factors, including cultural beliefs and practices, acculturation, familial ties, and social network influences.

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