A trend analysis of the prevalence of opioid misuse, social support, and suicide attempt among American Indian/Alaska native high school students in New Mexico: 2009-2019 Youth Risk Resiliency Survey (YRRS). Journal Article

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Authors: Agyemang, DO; Madden, EF; English, K; Venner, KL; Rod, H; Singh, TP; Qeadan, F
Article Title: A trend analysis of the prevalence of opioid misuse, social support, and suicide attempt among American Indian/Alaska native high school students in New Mexico: 2009-2019 Youth Risk Resiliency Survey (YRRS).
Abstract: BACKGROUND: American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth face stark inequities in opioid misuse, social support, and suicide attempt. This study examined trends in these behavioral measures among AI/AN students in New Mexico (NM). METHODS: Using the NM oversampled Youth Resiliency and Risk Survey (NM-YRRS, 2009 - 2019: odd years), prevalence estimates of opioid misuse, social support (SS), and suicide attempt for AI/AN high school students were generated. Trends over time were assessed via linear regression of weighted proportions according to Peter Armitage. Stratified trends by demographics were also employed. RESULTS: While the prevalence of suicide attempt did not change significantly over time, it was consistently higher among females (2011-2019), those who misused opioids, received low social support, had a mother with less than high school education, had a C, D, or F for academic performance, and non-straight students relative to their counterparts. In particular, the prevalence of suicide attempt among AI/AN students who reported opioid misuse in 2009 was significantly higher by 25.4% than their counterparts who did not report opioid misuse (35.8% vs. 10.4%.) A significant decreasing trend over time (2009-2017) was observed for opioid misuse (16.1%?8.8%, p-value?=?0.0033), including when stratifying by sex (males: 15.9%?9%, p-value?=?0.002; females: 16.2%?8.6%, p-value?=?0.012). Youth with high maternal education exhibited significant decline in opioid misuse (13.5%?6.7%, p-value?=?0.019; 2011-2017.) Opioid misuse increased significantly from 2017 to 2019 (8.8%?12.9%, p-value?0.0001.) For instance, in 2019 among AI/AN students who reported low social support, opioid misuse was roughly doubled (18.9% vs. 8.5%, p?0.0001), and suicide attempt was tripled (21.3% vs. 7.0%, p?0.0001) compared to students with high social support. CONCLUSION: No significant trend was observed for suicide attempt. We observed a significant decreasing trend in opioid misuse between 2009 through 2017 but a significant increase from 2017 to 2019. A higher level of maternal education (college or above), and an A or B school grade performance were protective against both opioid misuse and suicide attempt.
Journal Title: BMC public health
ISSN: 1471-2458; 1471-2458
Publisher: Unknown  
Date Published: 2022