The Prevalence Rate of Substance Abuse in Applicants for Marriage in Isfahan Province, Iran, from 2013 to 2017

Abstract

Background: Applicants for marriage in Iran must undergo mandatory screening tests for substance abuse before the wedding. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence rate of substance abuse in applicants for marriage in Isfahan Province from 2013 to 2017. Methods: In a descriptive study, the data corresponding to applicants for marriage who referred to laboratories in Educating, Counselling, and Testing at Marriage Centers in 22 districts that covered by Isfahan university of Medical Sciences during 2013 and 2017 were gathered and categorized based on electronic data bank of laboratories’ administration in Isfahan Province Health Center. The data were evaluated using descriptive statistics tests (such as frequency, mean, and standard deviation) in term of abused substances such as amphetamine, methamphetamine, morphine substances, gender, district and year. Findings: The prevalence rate of substance abuse (both opioids and amphetamine derivatives substances) had increased from 7.8 to 9.63 per one thousands marriage applicants from 2013 to 2017, respectively. In otherwise, the prevalence rate of substance abuse (both opioids and amphetamine derivatives substances) had raised 1.13 times in men and 3.26 times in women from 2013 to 2017. Conclusion: The prevalence rate of substance abuse in applicants for marriage in Isfahan Province has raised particularly in women during studied 5-years interval.

Keywords

• substance abuse
• morphine
• amphetamine
• iran