Prevalence of cannabis use in Brazil: Data from the I Brazilian National Alcohol Survey (BNAS)

Flávia S. Jungerman, Paulo Rossi Menezes, Ilana Pinsky, Marcos Zaleski, Raul Caetano, Ronaldo Laranjeira

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aims: To estimate the prevalence of cannabis use in the last 12 months in the Brazilian population and to examine its association with individual and geographic characteristics. Design: Cross-sectional survey with a national probabilistic sample. Participants: 3006 individuals aged 14 to 65 years. Measurements: Questionnaire based on well established instruments, adapted to the Brazilian population. Findings: The 12-month prevalence of cannabis use was 2.1% (95%CI 1.3-2.9). Male gender, better educational level, unemployment and living in the regions South and Southeast were independently associated with higher 12-month prevalence of cannabis use. Conclusion: While the prevalence of cannabis use in Brazil is lower than in many countries, the profile of those who are more likely to have used it is similar. Educational and prevention policies should be focused on specific population groups.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)190-193
Number of pages4
JournalAddictive Behaviors
Volume35
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2010

Keywords

  • Brazil
  • Cannabis use
  • Cross-sectional study
  • Epidemiology
  • Prevalence

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Toxicology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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