Extent and Influence of Recreational Drug Use on Men and Women Aged 15 Years and Older in South Africa

Illicit drug use negatively affects development of human and physical capital of any nation. Huge financial resources are allocated to prevent and curb illicit drug use. The use of these drugs continue to spread across race and age groups, despite application of various control measures. The information provided in this paper contributes towards understanding the extent and influence of illicit drugs use in South Africa. A population-based national HIV prevalence, behaviour and health survey conducted in 2008, incorporated questions on the extent and use of illicit drugs. A multistage random population sample of 15 845 persons aged 15 years or older (58% women and 42% men) was included in the survey. The use of combined illicit drugs excluding cannabis was reported by 1.7% of the 13 119 participants, and including cannabis by 4.3 % of the 13 128 participants. The Coloured men (14.3%) were the most likely to use cannabis, where as the Indian women (0.6%) were the least likely. The urban residents (5.4%) were more likely to report use of any illicit drug including cannabis than rural dwellers (2.5%). Illicit drug use has a high association with illnesses thus call for interventions to address this serious problem. Key Words: Recreational drug use, South Africa, illicit drug use, HIV prevalence surve

Alcohol use and problem drinking in South Africa: findings from a national population-based survey

Objective: This study formed part of the South African National HIV, Incidence, Behaviour and Communication (SABSSM) 2008 survey, which included questions assessing the extent of alcohol use and problem drinking among South Africans. Method: A multistage random population sample of 15 828 persons aged 15 or older (56.3% women) was included in the survey. Alcohol use was assessed using the Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT). Tabulation of data for different age groups, geolocality, educational level, income, and population group produced the estimates and associated confidence intervals. The odds ratios for these variables in relation to hazardous or harmful drinking were also computed. Results: Current alcohol use was reported by 41.5% of the men and 17.1% of women. White men (69.8%) were most likely and Indian/Asian women (15.2%) least likely to be current drinkers. Urban residents (33.4 %) were more likely than rural dwellers (18.3%) to report current drinking. Risky or hazardous or harmful drinking was reported by 9%: 17% among men and 2.9% among women. In men, risky drinking was associated with: the 20-54 year age group; the Coloured population group; lower economic status; and lower education. Among women, risky drinking was associated with: urban residence; the Coloured population group; lower education; and higher income. Conclusion: An increase in current, binge drinking and hazardous or harmful drinking prevalence rates was observed from 2005 to 2008 in South Africa. Multilevel interventions are required to target high-risk drinkers and to create awareness in the general population of the problems associated with harmful drinking. Future prospective studies are needed to assess the impact of problem drinking.Key words: Alcohol use; Binge drinking; Hazardous or harmful drinking; Prevalence; National, population-based survey; South Afric

Formulation of recommendation domains for sugarcane varieties: using modified stability analysis and best linear unbiased predictor

Paper presented at the 6th Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) - International Biometrics Society (IBS) Conference, Hersonissos, Crete, Greece, 8-12 Ma

The law of diminishing return as it applies to the state of biometry in sub-Saharan Africa

Paper presented at the 11th Scientific Conference of Sub-Saharan Africa Network (SUSAN) of the International Biometry Society (IBS), Kabarak University, Nakuru, Kenya, 24-28 Augus

Extent and influence of recreational drug use on men and women aged 15 years and older in South Africa

Illicit drug use negatively affects development of human and physical capital of any nation. Huge financial resources are allocated to prevent and curb illicit drug use. The use of these drugs continue to spread across race and age groups, despite application of various control measures. The information provided in this paper contributes towards understanding the extent and influence of illicit drugs use in South Africa. A population-based national HIV prevalence, behaviour and health survey conducted in 2008, incorporated questions on the extent and use of illicit drugs. A multistage random population sample of 15 845 persons aged 15 years or older (58% women and 42% men) was included in the survey. The use of combined illicit drugs excluding cannabis was reported by 1.7% of the 13 119 participants, and including cannabis by 4.3 % of the 13 128 participants. The Coloured men (14.3%) were the most likely to use cannabis, where as the Indian women (0.6%) were the least likely. The urban residents (5.4%) were more likely to report use of any illicit drug including cannabis than rural dwellers (2.5%). Illicit drug use has a high association with illnesses thus call for interventions to address this serious problem.

Alcohol use and problem drinking in South Africa: findings from a national population-based survey

Objective: This study formed part of the South African National HIV, Incidence, Behaviour and Communication (SABSSM) 2008 survey, which included questions assessing the extent of alcohol use and problem drinking among South Africans. Method: A multistage random population sample of 15 828 persons aged 15 or older (56.3% women) was included in the survey. Alcohol use was assessed using the Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT). Tabulation of data for different age groups, geolocality, educational level, income, and population group produced the estimates and associated confidence intervals. The odds ratios for these variables in relation to hazardous or harmful drinking were also computed. Results: Current alcohol use was reported by 41.5% of the men and 17.1% of women. White men (69.8%) were most likely and Indian/Asian women (15.2%) least likely to be current drinkers. Urban residents (33.4 %) were more likely than rural dwellers (18.3%) to report current drinking. Risky or hazardous or harmful drinking was reported by 9%: 17% among men and 2.9% among women. In men, risky drinking was associated with: the 20-54 year age group; the Coloured population group; lower economic status; and lower education. Among women, risky drinking was associated with: urban residence; the Coloured population group; lower education; and higher income. Conclusion: An increase in current, binge drinking and hazardous or harmful drinking prevalence rates was observed from 2005 to 2008 in South Africa. Multilevel interventions are required to target high-risk drinkers and to create awareness in the general population of the problems associated with harmful drinking. Future prospective studies are needed to assess the impact of problem drinking.

Binge drinking: catch it early

A survey of South Africans' habits highlights the need for early interventions to address the growing scourge of alcohol abuse, KARL PELTZER, ALICIA DAVIDS and PETER NJUHO maintain.

The HIV epidemic in South Africa: what do we know and how has it changed?

Commissioned by SANAC, AprilSpecifically, the HIV epidemic review aims to: 1) Describe the level of heterogeneity of the South African HIV epidemic and comment on any sub-epidemics that can be delineated within the national epidemic 2) Identify the populations at greatest risk of HIV infection based on analysis of the distribution of new infections 3) Establish the factors driving the HIV epidemic through an analysis of national and provincial behavioural, biological, socio-economic and demographic data 4) Provide an epidemiologic evidence base for formulating evidence-informed, better targeted, more effective prevention strategies and actions