Pattern Of Substance AbuseIn Multi Ethnic GroupsIn . Different Localities Of Karachi

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Substance abuse is a growing endemic in our population. Gutka, areka nut, cigarette, paan and niswar are being the five most commonaddictive in current use. Through this study the patterns of abusein different ethnicities and the reason forinitiation of different additive’ was assessed. Objectives: The objectivesof this survey wereto: e Tocompare substance abuse in different ethnic groups e Toassess the preference of addictives in males and females e To assess the reason ofinitiation of addictive. Method: This cross sectional study was done in adjoining squatter settlement of Ziauddin University. Data was collected by questionnaires filled by trained medical professionals in medical camps. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS20. Results: Results were compiled of 125 subjects. Gutka was found out to be the most commonaddictive used by all ethnicities, except in the Hazara community where gutka and areca nut both were very common. Peer pressure [63.2 % (n=79)] was found the major reason for initiation of the addictive. Conclusion: Thesituation of substance abuse is grave due to easy availability of these products. More strategies need to be implemented at the governmentlevel to decrease the consumption of these addictivesin the masses. Key Words: Substance Abuse; Tobacco Products, Drug Abuse.