Danielle German, MPH¹, Susan G. Sherman, MPH, PhD¹, Bangorn Sirirojn, MA², Nick Thomson², Apinun Aramrattana, MD², and David D. Celentano, ScD³. (1) Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 627 N. Washington Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, 443-287-0426, dgerman@jhsph.edu, (2) Research Institute for Health Sciences, Chiang Mai University, P.O. Box 80, CMU, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand, (3) Department of Epidemiology, Infectious Disease Program, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205

Background: Methamphetamine (MA) use in Thailand has increased dramatically over the past few years, particularly among adolescents. Little research has been conducted regarding internal motivations for drug cessation among methamphetamine users. Methods: Between March 2002 and January 2003, 48 in-depth interviews with young MA users were conducted. The interviews were conducted in Chiang Mai city and the surrounding district just prior to the recent Thai drug eradication campaign. Interview topics were broad and unguided by ‘a priori’ theory. Data were inductively analyzed with grounded theory methods using Atlas-ti for data management. Findings: At the time of interview, all but eight respondents had quit MA. Cessation was primarily self-initiated for most respondents; however, 15 respondents were coerced into entering treatment. Intentions to quit MA were motivated by three major themes: 1) realizations of negative impacts of MA on self and others and motivations to avoid such consequences; 2) normative influence from peers, loved-ones, and/or community members and desire to comply; and 3) belief in self ability to change given contextual factors such as stress, drug availability and temptation. These emergent themes were congruous with the constructs of Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) (behavioral attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived control) which has been shown to explain behavioral intentions and predict behavior. Conclusions: These data provide insight into motivators for cessation among young Thai MA users. Such information is critical to designing appropriate and effective interventions for this population. These data further suggest that the TPB may have application in this context.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, attendees will be able

• To describe motivations for methamphetamine cessation among Thai youth;
• To discuss implications of young Thai MA users’ intentions to quit for intervention design

Keywords: Youth, Drug Use

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.