Investigating how perceived risk and availability of marijuana relate to marijuana use among adolescents in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay over time.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

Amid changing marijuana policies in the Southern Cone, we examined relationships between marijuana-related risk factors and marijuana use among adolescents in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay from 2001 to 2016.

Methods

Using cross-sectional surveys from 8^th, 10^th, and 12^th graders and weighted time-varying effect models, we estimated associations between perceived risk (no/low risk versus moderate/great risk) and perceived availability (easy/very easy versus difficult/very difficult/not able to obtain) of marijuana, and any past-month marijuana use.

Results

In all countries, marijuana use increased over time and adolescents who perceived no/low risk and easy availability had higher odds of use. In Argentina, the bivariate risk/use as

SUBMITTER: Schleimer JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7075484 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature