Distinct kratom user populations across the United States: A regional analysis based on an online survey

Kratom preparations have raised concerns of public health and safety in the United States. This paper analyzed the patterns and predictors of kratom use by four U.S. regions according to the U.S. Census.

An anonymous cross-sectional online survey yielded 8,049 valid responses. The data were categorised by regions (Northeast, South, Midwest, and West) and analyzed for the following predictors: age, gender, marital status, ethnicity, employment status, insurance coverage, education, and household income.

After adjusting for state population, the survey response rates were highest from Oregon, Idaho, and Florida. Kratom use was significantly lower for both prescription drug dependency and acute or chronic pain in the Northeast region than the rest of the country. Multiple logistic regression models found that gender, employment, and education were significant on the regional level. Higher education was associated with lower kratom use for an illicit drug dependency (p = .002) independent of region whereas men were less likely to use kratom for acute or chronic pain in the Northeast (p < .001) but more likely in the Midwest (p = .041).

The regional pattern of kratom use differed from opioid use data in both demographics and trend direction warranting further investigation.