Incidence estimates of substance use disorders in a cohort from Delhi, India.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: There are no reports of incidence studies in the Indian setting on substance use disorders in the general population. This survey-resurvey carried out in metropolis Delhi estimated the incidence rates of substance use disorders. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out at two points of time with an interval of one year in a representative sample from the general population of metropolis, Delhi. The instrument was precoded, structured and based on DSM III-R operationalised criteria for use of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis and opioids (past one month). Matched data for two points of time were available for 5414 males and 4898 females. RESULTS: In the total cohort, the annual incidence rates (per 100 persons) among males for any drug use, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and opioids were 5.9, 4.2, 4.9, 0.02 and 0.04 respectively. Among females, incidence of any drug use was 1.2/100 persons. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Results showed that males have higher incidence for both not-dependent and dependent use for all the drug categories. Females had a higher incidence of dependent tobacco use.