- Assessment of Epidemiological Data and Surveillance in Korea Substance Use Research: Insights and Future Directions
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Meekang Sung, Vaughan W. Rees, Hannah Lee, Mohammad S. Jalali
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J Prev Med Public Health. 2024;57(4):307-318. Published online June 24, 2024
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.24.171
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 Abstract
Summary
 PDF Supplementary Material
- Objectives
Effective data collection and surveillance of epidemiological trends are essential in confronting the growing challenges associated with substance use (SU), especially in light of emerging trends and underreporting of cases. However, research and data are scarce regarding SU and substance use disorder (SUD) in Korea.
Methods
We conducted a scoping review to identify data sources and surveillance methods used in SU research in Korea up to December 2023. This review was complemented by semi-structured consultations with experts in this area in Korea, whose feedback led to revisions of previously identified data sources and assessments.
Results
Our review identified 32 publications conducting secondary analyses on existing data to examine the epidemiology of SU and SUD in Korea. Of these, 14 studies utilized clinical databases to explore the prescription patterns of addictive substances, particularly opioids. Eleven data sources showed promise for advancing SU research; however, they face substantial limitations, including a lack of available data, missing data, the absence of key variables, the exclusion of marginalized populations not captured within the clinical system, and complexities in matching individual-level data across time points and datasets.
Conclusions
Current surveillance methods for SU in Korea face considerable challenges in accessibility, usability, and standardization. Moreover, existing data repositories may fail to capture information on populations not served by clinical or judicial systems. To systematically improve surveillance approaches, it is necessary to develop a robust and nationally representative survey, refine the use of existing clinical data, and ensure the availability of data on treatment facilities.
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Summary
Key Message
- A scoping review identified eleven promising data sources for substance use research in Korea but noted substantial challenges in current surveillance methods, particularly regarding accessibility, usability, and standardization.
- Existing data repositories often miss information on marginalized populations not served by clinical or judicial systems, and suffer from data gaps, missing key variables, and complexities in matching individual-level data over time.
- To address these issues, developing a robust, nationally representative survey, refining the use of existing clinical data, and ensuring data availability from treatment facilities are essential.
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