Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, mental health and treatment need in the United States during COVID-19

Andrew M Subica; Erick G Guerrero; Tammy K K Martin; Scott K Okamoto; Nia Aitaoto; Howard B Moss; Brittany N Morey; Li-Tzy Wu

doi:10.1111/dar.13522

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, mental health and treatment need in the United States during COVID-19

Drug Alcohol Rev. 2022 Nov;41(7):1653-1663. doi: 10.1111/dar.13522. Epub 2022 Aug 11.

Authors

Andrew M Subica¹, Erick G Guerrero², Tammy K K Martin³, Scott K Okamoto³, Nia Aitaoto⁴, Howard B Moss¹, Brittany N Morey⁵, Li-Tzy Wu⁶

Affiliations

¹ School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, USA.
² Research to End Healthcare Disparities Corp, I-Lead Institute, Los Angeles, USA.
³ School of Social Work, Hawai'i Pacific University, Honolulu, USA.
⁴ Pacific Islander Center of Primary Care Excellence, San Leandro, USA.
⁵ Department of Health, Society, and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, USA.
⁶ School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, USA.

Abstract

Introduction: Before COVID-19, Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders (NH/PI) endured a heavy burden of alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) use in prior US data. Responding to reports that many NH/PI communities experienced severe COVID-19 disparities that could exacerbate their ATOD burden, we partnered with NH/PI communities to assess the substance use patterns and treatment needs of diverse NH/PIs during COVID-19.

Methods: Collaborating with NH/PI community organisations across five states with large NH/PI populations, we conducted a large-scale investigation of NH/PI ATOD use, mental health and treatment need during COVID-19. Between April and November 2021, NH/PI-heritage research staff from our community partners collected data involving 306 NH/PI adults using several community-based recruitment methods (e-mail, telephone, in-person) and two survey approaches: online and paper-and-pencil. Multivariate regressions were conducted to examine potential predictors of NH/PI alcohol use disorder and need for behavioural health treatment.

Results: During COVID-19, 47% and 22% of NH/PI adults reported current alcohol and cigarette use, while 35% reported lifetime illicit substance use (e.g., cannabis, opioid). Depression and anxiety were high, and alcohol use disorder, major depression and generalised anxiety disorder prevalence were 27%, 27% and 19%, respectively. One-third of participants reported past-year treatment need with lifetime illicit substance use, COVID-19 distress and major depression respectively associating with 3.0, 1.2, and 5.3 times greater adjusted odds for needing treatment.

Conclusions: NH/PI adults reported heavy ATOD use, depression, anxiety and treatment need during COVID-19. Targeted research and treatment services may be warranted to mitigate COVID-19's negative behavioural health impact on NH/PI communities.

Keywords: COVID-19; Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders; alcohol; alcohol use disorder; drug use; mental health; tobacco.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Adult
Alcoholism / epidemiology
Alcoholism / ethnology
Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander* / psychology
Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander* / statistics & numerical data
COVID-19* / psychology
Humans
Mental Health / statistics & numerical data
Prevalence
Substance-Related Disorders* / epidemiology
Substance-Related Disorders* / ethnology
Tobacco Products / statistics & numerical data
United States

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding