Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gxg78 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-25T14:30:25.307Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Post-conflict Iraq

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 April 2020

J. Al-Diwan
Affiliation:
Dept. of family and community medicine, college of medicine of baghdad, baghdad, Iraq
N. Al-Hemiary
Affiliation:
section of pstchiatry Dept. of Medicine, college of medicine of baghdad, baghdad, Iraq
M. Hashim
Affiliation:
section of pstchiatry Dept. of Medicine, college of medicine of baghdad, baghdad, Iraq

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.
Introduction

The 2006-2007 Iraqi Mental Health survey (IMHS) reported surprisingly low prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse in the Iraqi population. Anecdotal suggested that abuse of alcohol and drugs has increased. To investigate this possibility, we conducted a survey of drug and drug abuse at youth centers in Baghdad.

Methods

A total of 2678 persons was included in this survey with male to female ratio of 3.8:1. They were randomly selected from youth centers located in different sectors in Baghdad. Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to generate diagnosis. The interviewers were trained youth center staff. Data collection was carried out on Dec. 2009.

Results

A total of 17% met criteria for alcohol abuse and 7.02% met criteria for drug abuse. In those below 18 years of age, 2.1% reported alcohol abuse and 1.1% reported drug abuse. The peak age for alcohol and drug abuse was at 24-35 years. No female reported alcohol and substance abuse. Age of onset of alcohol was 21.7 ± 3.6 years and for drug abuse was 22 ± 5.8 years. Alcohol abuse was significantly associated with high crowding index, but drug abuse was not associated with crowding index. Low educational level was associated significantly with both alcohol and drug abuse.

Conclusion

High rates of alcohol and drug abuse and a tendency in early age of onset in alcohol and drugs were observed. High household density and low educational level are important factors in alcohol and drug abuse.

Type
Article: 1394
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2015
Submit a response

Comments

No Comments have been published for this article.