Drug-scene familiarity and exposure to gang violence among residents in a rural farming community in Baja California, Mexico

Bibliographic Data

ID15540538
AuthorsTyson Volkmann (University of California San Diego), Miguel Fraga (Universidad Autónoma de Baja California), Stephanie K Brodine (San Diego State University), Esmeralda Íñiguez-Stevens (San Diego State University), A Cepeda (0000-0002-2517-4141, University of Southern California), John P Elder (San Diego State University), RICHARD S GARFEIN (0000-0003-3663-7153, University of California San Diego, corresponding author), for the VIIDAI Team
Year2012
Volume8
Issue1
Pages65-78
Publication date2012-10-16
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGlobal Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1744-1692 • E-ISSN: 1744-1706
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/17441692.2012.729220
PMID23072623
PMCIDPMC3549003
OpenAlexW2063805605
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited28

We examined drug-scene familiarity and exposure to gang violence among residents of a migrant farming community in rural Baja California, Mexico. In October 2010, 164 members of a single colonia (community) underwent an interviewer-administered survey to assess 'exposure to gang violence' and 'drug-scene familiarity', as well as other health indicators. Logistic regression was used to identify correlates of exposure to gang violence. Overall, 20% of participants were male, the median age was 27 years, 24% spoke an indigenous language, 42% reported exposure to gang violence and 39% reported drug-scene familiarity. Factors independently associated with exposure to gang violence included being younger (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =0.80 per 5-year increase, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.67-0.96), living in the community longer (AOR=1.47 per 5-year increase, 95% CI=1.11-1.72), higher educational attainment (AOR=1.70 per 5-year increase, 95% CI=1.07-1.12) and drug-scene familiarity (AOR=5.10, 95% CI=2.39-10.89). Exposure to gang violence was very common in this community and was associated with drug-scene familiarity, suggesting a close relationship between drugs and gang violence in this rural community. In a region characterised by mass migration from poorer parts of Mexico, where drugs and gangs have not been previously reported, emerging social harms may affect these communities unless interventions are implemented

Confidence interval · Educational attainment · Environmental health · Geography · Indigenous · Injury prevention · Logistic regression · Occupational safety and health · Odds ratio · Poison control · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Sociology · Suicide prevention · Crime, Illicit Activities, and Governance · Demography · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Medicine · Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes · Gerontology

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