Prescription opioid misuse among U.S. Hispanics

As a risk factor for addiction, heroin use, and overdose, the misuse of prescription opioids represents a critical public health challenge. While public attention has primarily centered on opioid misuse among White individuals, less attention has been devoted to opioid misuse among one of the United States' fastest-growing demographic groups: Hispanic immigrants and their descendants. This study therefore examined prescription opioid misuse among U.S. Hispanic adults, with attention to within-group differences and the role of acculturation-related characteristics.

Data were derived from the 7037 U.S. Hispanic adults in the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III (2012-2013). Weighted proportions, adjusted odds ratios, and 95% confidence intervals were computed for past-year and lifetime prescription opioid misuse. Binomial logistic regression models examined the association between acculturation-related characteristics and prescription opioid misuse.

Past-year prevalence of prescription opioid misuse among U.S. Hispanic adults was lower in the first generation (1.6%), compared with the second (4.1%), third (6.8%), and higher-than-third (6.2%) generations, and a similar pattern was observed for lifetime prevalence. Higher generation, greater English language orientation, and length of time living in the United States were significantly associated with higher odds of past-year and lifetime prescription opioid misuse.

Relying solely on comparisons of prevalence between ethnic groups may obscure significant variations within ethnic groups. Second, third, and higher generation Hispanics are higher-risk subgroups, with rates of prescription opioid misuse approaching or surpassing the rates reported among non-Hispanic Whites.