Prevalence and correlates of areca nut use among psychiatric patients in India.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence and identify the correlates of areca nut use among men and women being treated for a major psychiatric disorder in India.


METHODS
Inpatients (N=988) admitted to the adult psychiatry department of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences in India were interviewed regarding their use of the areca nut, tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. Medical records were reviewed to obtain psychiatric diagnosis and history.


RESULTS
About 24% of the sample reported recent areca nut use, and 10% reported severe use suggesting dependence. Common reasons for use include to improve mood (31% of users), socialization (31%), digestion (22%), or performance (7%) and to decrease aches and pains (6%). Predictors of current areca nut use included less education, diagnosis of bipolar disorder, and current tobacco use. Predictors of severe use were older age, female gender, less education, and current tobacco use.


CONCLUSIONS
Areca nut use occurs commonly among Indian psychiatric patients, and deserves further investigation.
Chandra
Prabha S
PS
Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore 560029, India. prabhachandra@rediffmail.com
Carey
Michael P
MP
Carey
Kate B
KB
Jairam
K R
KR
D000328:Adult; D001114:Areca; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D009042:Motivation; D009754:Nuts; D010343:Patient Admission; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology