Sniffing prevalence in 17 communities from 2005 to 2014: key findings Prevalence of sniffing declined by 87.9% in 17 communities over the nine years since 2005 when the regional rollout of LAF commenced. The total number of people sniffing petrol has continued to fall over each period of data collection, which suggests that it is important to maintain a long term supply of LAF to get the full benefit at the community level. Trends in prevalence at the regional level are less steady because of the influence of individual communities. Within the overall decrease in prevalence the proportion of both and ‘regular’ sniffing has fallen between 2005 and 2014, while the proportion of ‘heavy’ sniffing has risen. This means that the damage done to individuals ‘occasional’ who sniff is likely to have lessened. Sniffing prevalence: 2011 to 2012 through to 2013 to 2014 This section presents the results of the data collection that took place between 2011 to 2012 and 2013 to 2014 in the sample of 41 communities. 54: Total number of people reported sniffing between 2011 to 12 and 2013 to 2014 (N=41 communities) Region 2011 2011 to 2011 to 2013 to 2013 to population: 2012: 2012: 2014: 2014: 5 to 39 years Number of Percentage of Number of Percentage of people population people population sniffing sniffing sniffing sniffing Far North 3021 17 0.6% 26 0.9% Queensland Northern Territory 1650 37 2.2% 59 3.6% (Barkly) Northern Territory 1325 17 1.3% 27 2.0% (Central Australia) Northern 1711 61 3.6% 20 1.2% Territory (East Arnhem) Northern 1671 25 1.5% 16 1.0% Territory (Katherine region) Northern 1750 49 2.8% 18 1.0% Territory (Top End) Australia 987 11 1.1% 21 2.1% Western Australia 1524 1 0.1% 0 0.0% (East Kimberley)
Sniffing prevalence in 17 communities from 2005 to 2014: key findings Prevalence of sniffing declined by 87.9% in 17 communities over the nine years since 2005 when the regional rollout of LAF commenced. The total number of people sniffing petrol has continued to fall over each period of data collection, which suggests that it is important to maintain a long term supply of LAF to get the full benefit at the community level. Trends in prevalence at the regional level are less steady because of the influence of individual communities. Within the overall decrease in prevalence the proportion of both ‘regular’ and ‘heavy’ sniffing has fallen between 2005 and 2014, while the proportion of ‘occasional’ sniffing has risen. This means that the damage done to individuals who sniff is likely to have lessened. Sniffing prevalence: 2011 to 2012 through to 2013 to 2014 This section presents the results of the data collection that took place between 2011 to 2012 and 2013 to 2014 in the sample of 41 communities. 54: Total number of people reported sniffing between 2011 to 12 and 2013 to 2014 (N=41 communities) Region 2011 population: 5 to 39 years 2011 to 2012: Number of people sniffing 2011 to 2012: Percentage of population sniffing 2013 to 2014: Number of people sniffing 2013 to 2014: Percentage of population sniffing Far North Queensland 3021 17 0.6% 26 0.9% Northern Territory (Barkly) 1650 37 2.2% 59 3.6% Northern Territory (Central Australia) 1325 17 1.3% 27 2.0% Northern Territory (East Arnhem) 1711 61 3.6% 20 1.2% Northern Territory (Katherine region) 1671 25 1.5% 16 1.0% Northern Territory (Top End) 1750 49 2.8% 18 1.0% Australia 987 11 1.1% 21 2.1% Western Australia (East Kimberley) 1524 1 0.1% 0 0.0%
monitoring-trends-petrol-sniffing-2011-14.docx