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The prevalence of substance-related problems has been shown to vary between Canadian provinces, but little else is known about the pattern of geographical differences. In this study, we modelled these differences, using methods of spatial analysis, and attempted to determine whether they are explained by known risk factors.

We used data from Cycle 1.2 of the Canadian Community Health Survey. We tested interprovincial differences, before and after adjustment for covariates, and also examined differences between urban areas. We then used interpolation techniques to model variation in prevalence without reference to administrative boundaries. Finally, we performed a spatial cluster scan for areas of heightened prevalence.

The prevalence of problematic substance use is lower in Ontario and Quebec than in the rest of the country. This pattern is due principally to low prevalence in …