Pittaway Troy, Dantas Jaya A R
Curtin School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Western Australia.
J Ethn Subst Abuse. 2023 Jul-Sep;22(3):571-588. doi: 10.1080/15332640.2021.1965932. Epub 2021 Aug 29.
To understand alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and its impact among South Sudanese youth in Melbourne, Australia.
This qualitative exploratory study was underpinned by the psychosocial conceptual framework. We undertook semi-structured interviews with 23 South Sudanese youth aged 14-21 years to explore attitudes and potential harms of AOD use. We also undertook focus groups with these participants and a focus group of 11 South Sudanese community elders and parents. Feedback on results was obtained through two forums with community members. The data collected were analyzed using thematic analysis.
The participants revealed that AOD use was common, specifically the use of cannabis. The participants believed that there was a lack of basic understanding of the potential harm of cannabis use. The results also highlighted that the community was unaware how the use of drugs and alcohol can contribute and exacerbate poor mental health. Cannabis was a regular drug of choice used by young South Sudanese in this study. It was used daily as a coping mechanism both for stress and for undiagnosed mental health.
The results of this study indicate increased potential harm for South Sudanese youth from AOD use. Of concern was a lack of diagnosis and treatment for mental health wellbeing due to the beliefs around AOD use. Without targeted interventions this has significant implications for the South Sudanese community and the young people affected. The significance of these findings may assist in the delivery of AOD treatment and improve health education for refugee youth.
了解澳大利亚墨尔本的南苏丹青年饮酒及使用其他毒品（AOD）的情况及其影响。
本定性探索性研究以社会心理概念框架为基础。我们对23名年龄在14至21岁之间的南苏丹青年进行了半结构式访谈，以探讨使用AOD的态度和潜在危害。我们还与这些参与者以及由11名南苏丹社区长者和家长组成的焦点小组进行了焦点小组讨论。通过与社区成员举行的两个论坛获得了对结果的反馈。使用主题分析法对收集到的数据进行了分析。
参与者透露，使用AOD很常见，尤其是大麻。参与者认为，对使用大麻的潜在危害缺乏基本了解。结果还突出表明，社区没有意识到毒品和酒精的使用会如何导致并加剧心理健康问题。在本研究中，大麻是南苏丹青年常用的毒品。它被用作应对压力和未确诊心理健康问题的日常手段。
本研究结果表明，南苏丹青年使用AOD的潜在危害有所增加。令人担忧的是，由于对AOD使用的观念，心理健康状况缺乏诊断和治疗。如果没有针对性的干预措施，这将对南苏丹社区以及受影响的年轻人产生重大影响。这些发现的意义可能有助于提供AOD治疗，并改善为难民青年开展的健康教育。
