This study presents the results of an exploratory space-time analysis of substance use among adolescent students (7th-12th) in Puerto Rico. Representative samples from two waves (1994-95 and 1997-98) of a national survey were used to study spatial and space-time clustering of cigarette, alcohol and illicit drug use during the month previous to the survey. Exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) was performed using choropleth maps of substance use rates and by doing multivariate data visualization. Grimson's adjacency test, using rates labeled as "high-risk", was used to test for clustering. ESDA gave indication of possible spatial and space-time clusters, particularly in non-metropolitan areas. These results were not confirmed with Grimson's test, although there was some indication of possible space-time clusters for cigarette and alcohol use. Further studies using distance statistics and the specific rates of the municipalities might be better suited to finding clusters in these data.
Learning Objectives: 1. Recognize the contribution of performing space-time analysis of substance use data, and to use these skills to find clusters. 2. Learn how to use choropleth maps and multivariate data visualization for exploratory spatial data analysis. 3. Learn to use new space-time statistics, like Grimson's adjacency test, to test for clustering of health events
Keywords: Adolescents, Drug Use
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.