Measuring exposure to cannabis use and other substance use in remote Aboriginal populations in northern Australia: Evaluation of a ‘community epidemiology’ approach using proxy respondents

Measuring exposure to cannabis use and other substance use in remote Aboriginal populations in northern Australia: Evaluation of a ‘community epidemiology’ approach using proxy respondents Journal Article

Addiction Research & Theory

  • Author(s): Clough, Alan R., Cairney, Sheree, D'Abbs, Peter, Parker, Robert, Maruff, Paul, Gray, Dennis, O'Reilly, Bridie
  • Published: 2004
  • Publisher: Taylor & Francis
  • Volume: 12
  • ISBN: 1606-6359

Abstract: We evaluate a method to describe changing substance use patterns in northern Australia's remote Aboriginal communities (Arnhem Land, Northern Territory). Substance use was assessed in random samples in two communities A (n = 194) and B (n = 176). Five Aboriginal health workers made assessments independently of each other in community A. A different group of three health workers made independent assessments in community B. Sub-samples were opportunistically recruited for interview (community A, n = 77; community B, n = 55). In community C, 101 people were interviewed and were also assessed by four local health workers working together. Proportional agreements (kappa-? statistic) among health workers for a history of substance use and current use, varied from ? = 0.207 for petrol sniffing (P = 0.006) up to ? = 0.749 for cannabis use (P<0.001), all better than would be expected by chance. In communities A and B, agreement between health workers? consensus and self-reported substance use was weaker (0.103

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Suggested Citation
Clough, Alan R., Cairney, Sheree, D'Abbs, Peter, Parker, Robert, Maruff, Paul, Gray, Dennis, O'Reilly, Bridie, 2004, Measuring exposure to cannabis use and other substance use in remote Aboriginal populations in northern Australia: Evaluation of a ‘community epidemiology’ approach using proxy respondents, Volume:12, Journal Article, viewed 11 February 2025, https://www.nintione.com.au/?p=11797.

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