Longitudinal surveys of prevalence rates and use patterns of illicit drugs at selected high-prevalence areas in China from 1993 to 2000.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the prevalence, patterns and trends of illicit drug use in the general population of selected high-prevalence areas in China between 1993 and 2000.


METHODS
Cluster sampling was employed and the Epidemiological Inventory for Illicit Drug Use (EIIDU) used as survey instrument. In 1993, 1996 and 2000, 56 792, 67 319 and 53 747 individuals aged 15 or above in community were interviewed, respectively, at the three time-points.


METHODS
Demographics and drug-related data were collected and the prevalence patterns of illicit drug are described.


RESULTS
The life-time prevalences of illicit drug use in the three consecutive surveys in 1993, 1996 and 2000 were 1.08, 1.60 and 1.52%, respectively, and the 1-year prevalence rates were 0.91, 1.17 and 1.17%, respectively. Heroin was the first choice for drug use (51.8% in 1993, 83.4% in 1993 and 95.9% in 2000). The two most frequent routes of drug administration were inhalation (89.2% in 1993, 60.1% in 1996 and 93.5% in 2000) and intravenous injection (27.2% in 1993, 31.0% in 1996 and 25.7% in 2000).


CONCLUSIONS
At least for the time being, illicit drug use may have plateaued in these selected high-prevalence areas.
Mental Health Institute, WHO Collaborating Center for Psychosocial Factor, Drug Abuse and Health, 2nd Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Hunan, China. weihao57@china.com
Wei
W
Hao
Zhonghua
Z
Su
Shuiyuan
S
Xiao
Changhe
C
Fan
Hongxian
H
Chen
Tieqiao
T
Liu
Deson
D
Young
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*
D013287:Illicit Drugs