SUBSTANCE USE AMONG THE YOUTH INJECTING DRUG USERS IN URBAN AREA NEPAL

Abstract

he world Drug Report (2010) indicated 16 to 38 million World's population use drugs and about 11 to 21 million were injecting drug users. These groups of people were susceptible to a diverse range of infectious and communicable disease leading to morbidity and mortality. Substance use had a major impact on individuals, families and communities.This cross sectional study used face to face interview for age group 16 to 34. The study was carried out from 5 municipalities in Nepal which include Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Pokhara, Dharan and Damak. Purposive sampling was used to select 5 sites in Nepal followed by quota sampling with proportion to select samples from rehabilitation and harm reduction center with respect to place. Majority of the male respondents from both the centers injected two to three times a day. Whereas half of the female respondents aged 15-19 injected two to three times a week and half of the respondents injected four to six times a week. More than half of the female respondents with age group 20-24 and 25-29 injected two to three times a day. Likewise majority of the female respondents aged 30-34 injected four to six times a week. There was significant difference (p-value<0.001)) between gender and frequency of injection use. The result showed significant difference (p-value<0.05) between level of education and frequency of injection use. According to findings majority of the respondents had easy access to drugs due to open border between countries so strict laws and policies need to be taken into account by the government. Review studies to identify areas that can be strengthen or scaled up will help reduce sharing practices among the female IDUs.