Production of Prevalence and Pattern of Substance Abuse Amongst Principal in Private Pharmacy Institutions in a Rural Community, India

Rahul Hajare*

Received: July 23, 2018;   Published: July 26, 2018

DOI: 10.32474/AOICS.2018.03.000163

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Abstract

Background: Principals in private pharmacy institutions are in their youthful age, prone to peer pressure and can easily resorts to social vices such as illicit drug use. Since youths are the bedrock of the society, curtailing these social vices will keep the community healthy.

Aim: To determine the prevalence and pattern of substance abuse among principals in private pharmacy institutions in rural community with a view to minimizing the effects of substance abuse among them.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 164 principals in private pharmacy institutions in rural. Cochrane formular for descriptive cross-sectional study was used factors responsible for substance abuse. Participants were selected and all principals in private pharmacy institutions in the study area have included in the study, but multistage sampling technique has used to select the participants. Prevalence has determined by getting the percentage of the respondents who were involved in illicit drug use. Data were analysed with the aid of IBM-SPSS version 21.0. Results have presented in tables, frequency and charts [1,2].

Results: All the 164 Principals in private pharmacy institutions selected for the study participated; giving a response rate of 100%. About two-third (66.5%) of the respondents were within the age group of 45-55 years. 58.5% of them were males and most (96.3%) of them were local. Most of the respondents’ principals (87.2%) were married. And of the total number of respondents, 140(85.4%) resides with their PHD students while 11.6%, 2.4%, and 0.6% of them resides with a guardian, extended family member and siblings respectively. A few 17(10.4%) of the respondents abuse drugs and the drugs commonly abused include Cigar 23.5%, alcohol 41.2%, Ghutaka 11.8%, Cigarette 17.6%, and tobacco 5.9% [3]. Reasons for substance abuse as narrated by respondents include: Peer pressure 41.2%, depression 5.9% and coping mechanism 41.2%. Other reasons given include curiosity 5.9%, and influence of media 5.9%.

Conclusion: The prevalence of substance abuse among the principals in private pharmacy institutions studied was 10.4% and substances commonly abused among them include Cigar 23.5%, alcohol 41.2%, Ghutaka 11.8%, cigarette17.6% and tobacco 5.9%. Factors responsible for substance abuse as revealed by respondents include: Peer pressure, depression, copping mechanism, curiosity and influence from the media [4,5].

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