Clinical observations on substance abuse related health problems at the Port Moresby General Hospital, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea.
This article documents the first clinical observations on substance abuse related health problems from Papua New Guinea. Data were collected and presented on 30 young Melanesians (28 males and two females) who were admitted to the Port Moresby General Hospital with health problems directly associated with substance (alcohol, cannabis and diazepam) abuse. The patients were aged between 15 and 35 years. The male to female ratio was 14 to 1. The author arrived at the conclusion that substance abuse related health problems which were noted to be absent in 1981, are now on the increase in Papua New Guinea. Further clinical research followed by health education for the youth of the country is recommended as an important task for all health workers.
Johnson
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Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Papua New Guinea, Boroko.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003975:Diazepam / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010219:Papua New Guinea / Q000453:epidemiology; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation
D003975:Diazepam