|
Abstract
|
BACKGROUND: Current tobacco use in any form is 34.6% of adults and in males it is 47.9% and the prevalence of tobacco smokers is 14% in adults with 24.3% in Males. 8 Use of smokeless tobacco was found to be 24.3% in males. The objectives of the study were to determine causes, prevalence and knowledge regarding consequences of substance abuse.
Methods: A community based cross sectional study was carried out. Data was recorded in a predesigned and pretested questionnaire as well as physical health consequences were enquired about. Only Men between 10-19 years were selected by house to house survey, and were explained about the protocol and purpose of the study. They were interviewed by interacting in local language.
Results: Majority belonged to 13-15 years. Majority of the respondents were unskilled employees (39.76). Majority of the respondents have completed secondary education. Among the respondents, majority belonged to upper middle class. Majority of the respondents belong to nuclear families. Major cause of initiation of substance abuse was Peer Pressure (52%), followed by feel of experimenting (20%). Overall 84% (206/244) were having knowledge regarding harmfulness of substance abuse.
Conclusions: Prevalence of substance abuse was found to be 66%. Majority that is 48.54% were consuming alcohol and 23.36% were smoking. Maximum that is 84% were having knowledge regarding harmfulness of substance abuse. Majority of skilled workers (67%) were addicted. Majority that is 87.66% of illiterates were addicted. 52% of subjects have started addiction due to peer pressure and 41% started only by experimenting.
Language: en |