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A Multivariate Regression Analysis of Adolescent Multiple Drug Use in Two Western Canadian Provinces

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Abstract

This article reports on the results of a multiple regression analysis of an adolescent multiple drug use index on 17 predictor variables from the PRIDE CANADA Drug survey with 18,685 Grades 9 through 12 students in two Western Canadian provinces in 1995–96. The predictor variables represent eight familial, five school and peer, and four individual level attributes and behaviours.

The regression analysis is used to estimate the combined effects along with the relative importance of the predictor variables on the students’ self-reported use of 11 drugs combined into a multiple drug use index. Separate analyses are conducted for the male and female students.

The results indicate that two of the most important predictor variables are the frequency with which both the female and male students report getting into trouble at school and the frequency of the students’ participation in worship. The relative importance of these two variables and other variables in relation to the students’ multiple use of drugs differ to some extent for the two genders.

Résumé

L’objectif de cet article est de rendre compte des résultats obtenus à l’aide d’une équation de régression multiple d’un index d’utilisation de plusieurs drogues par un adolescent sur 17 variables explicatives provenant du sondage sur la drogue “PRIDE CANADA”. Ce sondage a été mené auprès de 18 685 élèves de la neuvième à la douzième année dans deux provinces de l’ouest canadien en 1995–96. Les variables explicatives sont: la famille (8), l’école et les pairs (5) ainsi que les qualités personnelles et les comportements de l’individu (4).

Cette analyse a pour but d’étudier les effets combinés et l’importance relative des variables explicatives en relation avec l’auto-déclaration des étudiants de l’utilisation de 11 drogues combinées dans un index multiple. Des analyses séparées ont été faites tant pour les étudiants que pour les étudiantes.

Les résultats indiquent que les deux plus importantes variables explicatives sont la fréquence à laquelle les étudiants et les étudiantes rapportent avoir de la difficulté à l’école et la fréquence à laquelle les deux genres participent dans une religion. L’importance relative de ces deux variables ainsi que des autres variables en relation avec l’utilisation multiple de drogues diffère, jusqu’à un certain degré, pour les deux genres.

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Correspondence to David A. Hay.

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Hay, D.A. A Multivariate Regression Analysis of Adolescent Multiple Drug Use in Two Western Canadian Provinces. Can J Public Health 90, 304–308 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404514

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404514

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