Knowledge and use of alcohol and other drugs among Vietnamese-speaking migrants

A survey of the Vietnamese community in Sydney was conducted in 1992 to determine whether it was at a higher or lower risk of drug-related harm than the general community. Data was collected on knowledge, attitudes and behaviour associated with alcohol and other drug use and compared with overall NSW figures. The sample of 341 Vietnamese-speakers aged 15-65 years was obtained by face-to-face interviews conducted in private households using a cluster sampling technique. Of the sample, 72% indicated they did not speak English well or at all. Recognition of tobacco and alcohol as drugs and the specific health and social problems associated with use was much lower among the Vietnamese-speakers than the general community. Compared with the general community (1991 NCADA Household Survey), reported use of tobacco on the day of the survey among Vietnamese-speakers was higher among men (37% versus 26%) but much lower among women (4% versus 22%). Reported use of other drugs such as alcohol, analgesics, minor tranquillizers and illicit drugs was lower than in the general community. It is recommended that the low level of knowledge of the health and social problems associated with tobacco and alcohol in particular should be addressed by community-based education programmes.