ABSTRACT

Introduction:
The West Bank has seen an increase in cannabis use, but there are few studies on the prevalence and factors associated with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) use among Palestinians. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of THC use and its associations with sociodemographic factors and its potential association with the use of alcohol, tobacco, energy drinks, coffee, and also other illicit drugs.

Methods:
Male Palestinians from the West Bank were invited to give urine samples in a cross-sectional study in 2022. The study employed a self-reported questionnaire to identify participants who were current users in the last 30 days, including alcohol, illicit drugs, tobacco smoking, energy drinks, and coffee.

Results:
The response rate was 68.2%. Out of 743 respondents, 8% declined to provide urine samples, leaving 656 participants with median age 28 years (IQR: 22–35), 24.7% single, and 20.3% illiterate. THC was found in 7.3% of the urine samples. A crude analysis of logistic regression indicated that THC was used in combination with alcohol (OR=3.62; 95% CI: 1.40–9.63, p=0.015), benzodiazepines (OR=6.42; 95% CI: 3.35–12.29, p<0.001), amphetamines OR=7.72; 95% CI: 3.89–15.32, p<0.001), and methamphetamines (OR=10.21; 95% CI: 5.1–20.41, p<0.001). Adjusted logistic regression revealed that THC use was associated with alcohol use (AOR=3.4; 95% CI: 1.56–7.38, p=0.002), benzodiazepines (AOR=2.57; 95% CI: 1.04–6.34, p=0.041), methamphetamines (AOR=3.76; 95% CI: 1.02–13.88, p<0.047), and an education level of undergraduate degree or higher (AOR=5.27; 95% CI: 1.23– 22.66, p=0.018).

Conclusions:
These findings highlight the potential for polysubstance use and its implications for individual health outcomes. THC use associated with other drugs presents a new challenge for the health system with new emerging health issues. Further research is needed to comprehensively explore THC use in Palestine and the surrounding region, taking into account the unique sociocultural factors that may influence these behaviors.

Title

Population Medicine

Publisher

European Publishing

Publisher Country

Greece

Indexing

Scopus

Impact Factor

None

Publication Type

Both (Printed and Online)

Volume

6

Year

2024

Pages

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