Socio Demographic and Clinical Profile of Injectable Opioid Abusers in a Hospital Based Population

Abstract

Background: Substance use disorder is a highly prevalent disorder causing both social and personal burden on the individual. Opioid use disorder affects the huge population around the world. To study the socio demographic andAim: clinical prole of injectable opioid users in a hospital based population. It was a cross sectional study. The duration of the study was forMethods: 1 year from1st June 2019 to 31st May 2020.100 patients of injectable opioid users with opioid dependence from Out Patient Department and Indoor Patient Department of Psychiatry,Gauhati Medical College and Hospital who fullled the selection criteria and gave written informed consent were recruited for the study. Data were analysed using descriptive statistical method. The Mean age of theStatistical analysis: Results: study sample is 24.72 years. All the study sample were male. Majority of patients (79%) were from Hindu religion.44% of patients were self- employed.76% of study subjects were unmarried.55% of patients were from lower middle socio economic status.77% of patients were from nuclear family. Majority of patients (66%) have tattoo over their body. 59% of patients share needle with partner while taking injectable opioids. 38 % patients started injecting opioids before 18 years of age. Majority of patients (56%) had Hepatitis C Virus reactive status. Conclusion: From our study we could able to nd out different socio demographic and clinical prole of injectable opioid users. From this study it is also reected that 38% of study population started heroin injection during their adolescent period. Hence the early detection and treatment of these adolescent heroin abusers need urgent intervention.