Perceived Risk of Methamphetamine among Chinese Methamphetamine Users

BACKGROUND:

Methamphetamine use has grown considerably in China in recent years. Information about perceptions of risk on methamphetamine is important to facilitate health promotion efforts.

RESULTS: A majority (59.1%) perceive that infrequent methamphetamine use poses no risk to the user, while 11.2% perceive at least moderate risk for light use. A majority (56.7%) perceived at least moderate risk associated with regular methamphetamine use. Most (82.2%) also perceive methamphetamine to be easily obtainable. A path model indicates that perceived risk shapes intentions to use and expectations of future use, as does perceived availability. Qualitatively, while addiction was the most common risk discussed by users, they differed on whether they perceived the drug addictive. Other concerns raised by interviewees included impaired cognition, mental health problems, physical harm, and social dysfunction.

CONCLUSION:

While some users identify significant risks with methamphetamine, others do not perceive its use to be problematic. Collectively, these findings indicate that intervening upon perceptions of risk among Chinese methamphetamine users may be a means to influence intentions to use.

Via:  http://ht.ly/RU6YU 

By: Kelly BC1, Liu T2, Yang XY3, Zhang G4, Hao W4, Wang J5.

• 1Purdue University, USA. Electronic address: bckelly@purdue.edu.
• 2Mental Health Institute of Central South University, China. Electronic address: liutieq@gmail.com.
• 3Purdue University, USA.
• 4Mental Health Institute of Central South University, China.
• 5Children's National Medical Center, George Washington University, USA.