SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC PROFILING OF DRUG ABUSERS ADMITTED IN A REHABILITATION CENTRE OF KARACHI

Abstract

Objective: To determine the drug use factors along with socio-demographic risk factors associated with drug addiction

Research Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study design

Place and Duration of study: The study was conducted at A. Q. Khan Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi. Participants were taken from Drug Rehabilitation Centre (DRC) ward of the institute. The duration of the study was from October 2019 to March 2020.

Sample and Method: Data was collected from 83 in-patients. During the time of study, no female patient was admitted in the hospital so only males turned out to be the respondents of the study. In-patients were interviewed after informed consent. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Patients’ history and drug profile tests were cross-checked from their files.

Results: The results indicate that majority’s duration of drug usage was within the range of 1-10 years (78.6%), with forceful admissions of 67.9% men. The amount they used to spend on drugs on a daily basis was less than 1000 rupees (59.6%); with smoking as the most preferred route of administration. 82.1% men were found to be poly-substance users, where Cannabinoids (66.7%) and Opiates (61.9%) topped the charts. Among the risk factors identified, first exposure was mostly due to friends (70.2%), with major reasons of relaxation (44%) and socialization (39.3%). Among demographics, a majority of respondents (57.1%) were aged 20–29 years with a middle socioeconomic status (54.8%). Their education centered on intermediate and matriculation (47.6%).  Data comprised of 54.8% single and 44% married men. A 47.6% sample was jobless whereas 35.7% were engaged in blue-collar jobs and 16.7% in white-collar jobs.

Conclusion: Findings indicate that drug abuse is more common because it’s cheaper and has its temporary benefits for the users like relaxation and socialization. Also, people tend to use more than one drug hence different routes of administration. Willingness to quit drug was found to be low in the sample. Findings further indicate that drug abuse is more common among people in early adulthood and those who are less educated. Joblessness was also found to be associated with drug abuse.