title: Prevalence and pattern of substance abuse at bandardewa, a border area of assam and arunachal pradesh.
abstract: A total of 312 persons aged 10 years and above were interviewed to collect information about their habits of taking tobacco, alcohol and other substances. The study reveals that 40.4% of the respondents used tobacco irrespective of their using pattern, with significant difference between sexes (p< 0.001). Among tobacco users 58.2% were only tobacco chewers. 26.3% were smokers and 15% of them were practicing both the modes. 61.4% among housewives were tobacco users. Prevalence of alcohol use was 36.5% among the respondents. Alcohol use among males (39.5%) was slightly higher than females (32.6%). A significant association of alcohol users (p< 0.01) was observed with level of educational status. 3.4% of the study population were found to be habituated with substance abuse other than tobacco and alcohol. Percentage of injecting drug users was found to be 1.28%. A very small number (0.64%) was also found to be addicted to petrol inhalation.
authors.affiliation: N.C. HAZARIKA, MBBS., MD., DPH., Regional Medical Research Centre (ICMR), Post Box No 105, Dibrugarh-786 001 (Assam).
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Hazarika
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Biswas
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Phukan
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hazarika
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mahanta