Prevalence Of Substance Use Among Adolescents Residing In Urban Slums - A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Substance use has become a problem both among developed and developing countries. Substances which are included are alcohol, tobacco (smoke and smoke less), Ganja, Charas, Brown Sugar, Opium, etc. Prevalence of smoking among women and young children has increased many folds. Global youth Tobacco survey in 2006 showed that 3.8% of students smoke and 11.9 % currently used smokeless tobacco. Among the adolescents, students are particularly involved due to increasing academic pressures, encouragement by peers, lure of popularity and easy availability of many such substances like alcohol, tobacco (cigarettes and gutka) and other drugs. Family composition, family intactness, family income, and family violence are some of the issues that have been related to tension, stress and to encourage a number of problem behavior including drug use, rapid industrialization, urbanization and changing life styles have left children struggling for their survival, forcing many to take refuge in the dark world of substance abuse. Its use poses a significant threat to the health, social and economic fabric of families, communities and nation. METHODOLOGY: A community based cross sectional study, conducted from January to December 2015 in urban slums of Ramnagar and Rukimni Nagar, Belagavi among adolescents aged between 10 – 19 years. Total 600 participants were included in study. After obtaining the ethical clearance, pilot study was conducted. Written informed consent and assent in adolescents less than 18 years was obtained. Data was collected using a predesigned questionnaire, which included socio-demographic variables, prevalence of substance use among family members and adolescents and factors affecting it, common substance used and knowledge regarding adverse effects. Statistical analysis was done using chi square test and P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: In the present study 33.8% were in the age group of 10 – 13 years, 25% were in 14 -15 years age group and 41.2% were in 16-19 years age group. The overall prevalence of substance use was 11.8% with females having more prevalence (17.9%) than males (10.7%). This difference was found to be statistically significant, p<0.001. Prevalence of substance use in illiterate was found to be 94.7% and prevalence reduced with increase in education. Highest prevalence of substance use (81%) was seen in adolescents with school dropouts. Low SES and family history of substance use was significantly associated with prevalence of substance use with p<0.001. Smokeless form of tobacco (78.87%) was found to be most commonly consumed substance and least (2.82%) was seen with alcohol and ganja. Fun/Adventure (71.85%) was the main reason for initiation of substance use among adolescents, followed by 22.53% because of friends, 4.22% was because of peer pressure and 1.4% started it as a habit. CONCLUSION AND INTERPRETATION The present community based study, reported a higher prevalence of substance use among females than males. Prevalence was more common in adolescents with low SES, illiterates, family history of substance use and school dropouts.