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Comparative Study
. 2009 Feb 1;100(1-2):32-8.
doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2008.08.018. Epub 2008 Nov 22.

Prevalence and correlates of dual diagnoses in U.S. Latinos

William A Vega  1 , Glorisa Canino, Zhun Cao, Margarita Alegria
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Prevalence and correlates of dual diagnoses in U.S. Latinos

William A Vega et al. Drug Alcohol Depend. .

Abstract

Aim: To examine the population prevalence, patterns of onset, and important demographic covariates for dual (co-occurring) diagnoses of substance and non-substance mental disorders.

Design: A nationally representative sample of U.S. Latino adults was interviewed face-to-face.

Measurements: Estimates were made using data from the National Latino and Asian Services Survey (NLAAS) using the World Health Organization CIDI, DSM-IV criteria, for case ascertainment.

Findings: U.S. born Latinos are much more likely to report a dual diagnoses than are foreign born Latinos in both sexes; 16.88% vs. 5.02% for males (p<0.000), and 7.48% vs. 0.58% for women (p<.000). Total dual diagnoses prevalence was 6.79%, with non-substance mental disorder occurring first 70% of the time, with an earlier age of onset for U.S. Latinos. Immigrants were less likely to be positive for dual diagnoses (OR=0.234, p=<0.0001), or any substance disorder diagnosis (OR=0.261, p=<.0001), if they reported lifetime substance use when compared to U.S. born Latinos.

Conclusions: Latino adults residing in the U.S. have one-fourth the risk of dual diagnoses compared to the U.S. population. Most of this difference is accounted for by lower rates of substance and non-substance disorders and a lower propensity for progression from substance use to substance use disorders, combined with a later age of onset for mental disorders among immigrants. Immigrant women rarely reported dual diagnoses. We recommend bio-behavioral models and transnational studies to identify life course factors contributing to dual diagnoses among U.S. born Latinos.

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