Table 3

Logistic regression analysis of factors predicting use of illegal drug in Australia during their current backpacking vacation

Used any illegal drug¹

Cannabis

Ecstasy

Cocaine

Amphetamine Types²

AOR

(95%CI)

P³

AOR

(95%CI)

AOR

(95%CI)

AOR

(95%CI)

AOR

(95%CI)

Survey area

Cairns

Ref

Sydney

1.74

(1.21–2.51)

1.86

(1.27–2.72)

17.67

(2.33–134.12)

Age

18 to 20

Ref

21 to 24

1.56

(1.05–2.33)

25 to 35

1.01

(0.66–1.54)

Sex

Female

Ref

***

Ref

***

Ref

Male

1.80

(1.31–2.46)

1.85

(1.35–2.55)

1.70

(1.2–2.41)

Australia only destination⁴

Ref

Yes

1.64

(1.13–2.37)

1.49

(1.03–2.17)

Abroad with partner/spouse

Yes

Ref

***

Ref

***

Ref

2.18

(1.5–3.16)

2.08

(1.42–3.03)

1.60

(1.05–2.42)

Stay to date (weeks)

2 to 4

Ref

***

Ref

***

Ref

>4 to 12

1.77

(1.23–2.55)

1.63

(1.13–2.36)

2.33

(1.55–3.5)

***

1.56

(0.65–3.74)

>12

2.34

(1.62–3.39)

***

2.42

(1.67–3.5)

***

3.10

(2.08–4.63)

***

3.08

(1.29–7.4)

Total stay (weeks)

2 to 12

Ref

>12 to 40

0.43

(0.16–1.14)

>40

0.95

(0.37–2.46)

Nights clubbing per week

<= 1

Ref

2 to 4

1.84

(1.24–2.72)

1.70

(1.14–2.54)

2.49

(1.51–4.11)

***

5 or more

2.85

(1.57–5.18)

2.58

(1.43–4.65)

2.79

(1.46–5.3)

Daily alcohol-Australia⁵

Ref

Yes

1.42

(1.01–2.01)

1.64

(1.17–2.31)

1.48

(1.05–2.1)

1.74

(1.1–2.75)

Daily tobacco-Australia⁵

Ref

***

Ref

***

Ref

***

Ref

***

Ref

***

Yes

3.24

(2.35–4.47)

2.92

(2.13–4.01)

2.80

(2.03–3.86)

3.29

(1.87–5.77)

2.37

(1.5–3.77)

Stay remaining (weeks) and whether individuals had had to visit a hospital or doctor in Australia were included in the analysis but were not significant for any types of substance use. For all other independent variables relationships that were not significant are left blank. Reference categories are identified with 'Ref' and overall levels of significance for each independent variable are presented in the same row as the reference category. AOR = Adjusted Odds Ratio; CI = Confidence Intervals.

¹Cannabis, Ecstasy, Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, Crystal Meth, Cocaine, Crack, LSD, Ketamine, GHB, Heroin and Steroids.

²Includes Amphetamine, Methamphetamine and Crystal Meth.

³Significance is shown as * P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, NS = not significant.

⁴Travelling from the UK to Australia and back without holiday periods in other countries on either route.

⁵Here daily is defined as anyone reporting use five or more days a week.

Bellis et al. BMC Public Health 2007 7:1 doi:10.1186/1471-2458-7-1