Association between social networks and substance use among male tribal adolescents in the North-East Indian state of Tripura

Abstract

AbstractsPurposeThe prevalence of substance use among tribal adolescents in north-east India is higher than that of the rest of India.ObjectiveThe study aimed to investigate the association between social network measures and substance use among male tribal adolescents in the West district of Tripura, North-East India.MethodsWe used data on 12-19-year-old tribal adolescents (N=340) from a primary cross-sectional survey in selected schools in the study area. We carried out bivariate and logistic regression analysis to establish the association between substance use and social network.ResultsOut of the total sample 340, about 27.65% reported smoking, 26.18% reported using smokeless tobacco, and 30.59% reported drinking alcohol; 35.29% reported using any of these substances. The substance use status of social network members was highly correlated to the substance use status among adolescents. The odds of substance consumption among adolescents increase with having a friend who smokes (OR = 6.152, 95% CI = 1.80–21.09), having friends who instigate to smoke (OR = 5.41, 95% CI = 1.86–15.74), and having friends who say smoking as a sign of masculinity(OR = 5.19, 95% CI = 1.4–18.22). Adolescents were more likely to smoke when their family member uses a substance (OR = 3.39, 95% CI = 1.5– 7.4,p= 0.002) and who spent time with friends with the same behaviour (OR = 2.66, 95% CI= 1.5–4.5,p≤ 0.000).ConclusionsIntervention is needed to address adolescents’ substance use habits and members belonging to close social networks.