[Estimation on the number of drug users in Hongjiang, Hunan: a capture-recapture study].
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the number of drug users in Hongjiang, Hunan and to develop strategy for drug reduction in the future.


METHODS
Two capture-recapture methods were used to estimate the numbers of drug addicts. Random stratified sampling survey was used to verify the optimum allocation. The first capture-recapture method (CR1) referred to the number from optimum allocation random stratified sampling survey conducted in the communities and the number from local Public Security Bureau list being the second capture. The second capture-recapture method (CR2) referred to the collection of records in the detoxification unit with an interval of 4 months. The estimated number was calculated under Seber's adjustment formula. Face to face interview was carried out during the optimum allocation random stratified sampling survey process.


RESULTS
Of 1388 interviewed in the communities, 24 (1.73%) were identified as drug addicts under the optimum allocation random stratified sampling survey. When the figure 1.73% was applied to the total population (72,709) in Hongjiang, the result yielded an estimation of 1258 drug addicts. The estimated numbers of CR1 and CR2 were 904 and 1069 respectively. However, the number was 1.3 to 1.6 fold higher than the reported number (687) by local Public Security Bureau.


CONCLUSIONS
The capture-recapture method seemed a better method in estimating the number of drug addicts.
Chen
Xi
X
Hunan Provincial Control of Disease and Prevention, Changsha 410005, China.
Lv
Fan
F
Zheng
Jun
J
Pu
Hong-bo
HB
Yin
Xun-qiang
XQ
Zhang
Yan-hui
YH
Qin
Bi-yun
BY
Pan
Hu
H
D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D016485:Needle Sharing; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology*