CHAPTER – I
INTRODUCTION
Drug addiction has become a major
social problem in Bangladesh. In a developing country live Bangladesh
incidences of drug addiction increasing day by day. It was a problem of
developed country beforehand, but now it is one of the important social problem
of country trapped by this addiction it will affects the future of our country.
It is spreading like mushroom & invading the every level of our nation like
home, educational institution & affecting individuals of all classes. Increasing
number of drug addiction not only decreases the economical development of a
country but also directly related to increased incidence of crime, unexpected violence
and corruption. Easy availability of drugs is a major cause of prevalence of
drug addiction. Peer pressure is generally considered to be an important factor
in the initiation of taking drugs. ESCAP (Economic and Social Commission of
Asia and the Pacific) showed that in 1989 there were 10,000 heroin addicts in Bangladesh.
But the no. of addicts are increasing day by day. Alam’s studies that the no of
addicts had increased tenfolds within last few years. They estimated (1989)
that there were 250,000 addicts present in Bangladesh Due to improved and easy
transport facility, drugs are being available easily around the world. The
general people are not aware of the factors of drug addiction. Thus the purpose
of this study is to find out the knowledge regarding factors influencing drug addiction
& to assess the sociodemographic characteristics of addicts.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Drugs were used by primitive people
in religious rituals to combat or naturalize various taboos. Throughout the
ages significant number of substances were used to treats disease but only a
few of these substances had only direct influences on the symptom of disease.
The American Indians extracted drugs like medicine from desserts plants, to
enable them to communicate with their dead ancestors. Continued study and
refinement of this product give medical science a great variety of drugs and
medicines unfortunately many of these substance have dangerous and damaging
effects on the body used indiscriminately. As there is increased use of such
drugs by the medical professionals there is growing tendencies for the people
in general to used drugs without prescription or medical purpose.
Medical use of drugs has always
existed in Bangladesh as in elsewhere but the present form of drug dependence
among the youth of the country was little known to people before 1960.
The abuse of Heroine was first
detected in Dhaka in 1984.
In the economically deprived
communities cannabis, depressants and opiates were found to be the agent of
choice & among more affluent young person cannabis, LSD and depressants
were used extensively.
In 1994 the Bangladesh Govt. banned the
consumption of opium and closed the opium vendering in the country. Bangladesh
experienced a drmatic changes in this field during last decade. An early
identification of cause of drug addiction might be helpful in developing a program
for reduction and prevention of the problem in the country.
GENERAL OBJECTIVE
To assess the
knowledge of the 1styr. MBBS students of the Z. H Sikder Women’s Medical
College & Hospital (Pvt.) Ltd. regarding drug addiction in Bangladesh.
Specific objectives:
1.
To assess knowledge about drug addiction in Bangladesh
regarding-
·
Socioeconomic group of drug addicted people
·
Age group of drug addicted people
·
Cause of drug addiction/factors influencing drug addicted
·
Preventive measure
·
Complications/effects due to drug addicted
2. To know the sources of information
3. To know
their advices regarding prevention of drug addicted
Research Questions:
1. What are
the factors influencing drug addiction
2. Who are the
persons subject to addiction?
Key Variables:
A. Regarding
socioeconomic status of respondent-
1.
Age
2.
Religion
B.
Regarding knowledge of respondent about drug addiction-
1. Categories of people addicted to drugs.
2. Age group of addicted people
3. Age group of addicted people
4. Cause(s) of addiction
5. Commonly used drugs for addiction
6. Common sources of drugs
7. Effects of drug addiction
8. Authorities
responsible for prevention of addiction
9. Appropriate
agencies for the managements of addiction
10. Sources of
Information of drug addiction.
Operational Definition:
1. Respondent:
The 1st year MBBS students of Z. H Sikder Women’s Medical College
& Hospital (Pvt.) Ltd.
2. Knowledge:
Response about drug addiction assessed by direct questionnaire.
Drug:
The word drug is defined as “any
substance that, when take into the living organism, may modify one or more of
its functions” (WHO)
Drug addiction:
Drug addiction is defined as a state
of periodic on chronic intoxication detrimental to the individual and society
produced by the respected intake of habit forming drugs.
Limitation of the study:
1. Due to
time constraints we had to limit our study in only one college.
2. Enough literatures
could not be reviewed due to lack of resource & time.
3. Lack of
facility hampered speedy outcome of our study.
CHAPTER-II
Methodology:
Type of study: It was
descriptive type of cross sectional study with one step stratification.
Place of study: Z. H. Sikder
Women’s Medical College & Hospital (Pvt.) Ltd.
Study Period: September, 2007.
Study Population:
First
year MBBS students of Z. H. Sikder Women’s Medical College & Hospital
(Pvt.) Ltd.
Sample size &
Sampling technique: 100 students were selected purposively.
Selection and
development of research instrument: Keeping in view of the objective the
questionnaire was prepared and pre-tested. It was modified and finalized. The
questionnaire has both open & close ended.
Procedure of data
collection: Seventy nine students of our college were divided into 2
groups each comprising of 40 students approximately. Respondents also were
divided into two groups and collected data by face to face interview from two
groups of students. The interview session was conducted during college hours.
Data complication
and processing: After collection of raw data, we stoned out and prepared a
master table manually, keeping in view the objectives and variables.
Data analysis and
report writing: Data were processed with the help of electronic calculator
and the report was finally prepared by computer through Microsoft Word process.
CHAPTER-III
Field survey of
the knowledge of fist year MBBS student of Z.H.S.W.N.C, about drug addiction in
Bangladesh:
Table No. 1 (Q: 2)
Distribution of age of the respondent:
|
Age (yrs) X |
Number |
fx |
% |
X-X |
(X-X)2 |
|
18 |
9 |
162 |
11.39 |
-1.44 |
2.07 |
|
19 |
32 |
608 |
40.50 |
-0.44 |
0.19 |
|
20 |
32 |
640 |
40.50 |
0.56 |
0.31 |
|
21 |
6 |
126 |
7.59 |
1.56 |
2.43 |
|
Total |
79 (n) |
1536 |
99.98 = 100% |
5 |
Fig-1 : Histogram of Distribution of age of the
respondent: 
Age (years) of
respondent
A = 18
years
B = 19
years
C = 20
years
D = 21
years
Table No.-2:
Knowledge of the respondent regarding drug addiction people
& group:
|
Drug addict groups |
No. |
% |
|
Student |
45 |
56.96 |
|
Businessmen |
3 |
3.79 |
|
Drivers |
11 |
19.92 |
|
Professional |
14 |
17.72 |
|
Sex workers |
5 |
6.32 |
|
Others |
1 |
1.26 |
|
Total |
79 |
99.97= 100% |
Fig-2: Bar diagram
of the knowledge of the respondent regarding drug addict people:
 |
Drug Addict Groups
|
A |
Student |
|
B |
Businessmen |
|
C |
Drivers |
|
D |
Professional Blood |
|
E |
Sex workers |
|
F |
Others |
Table No.-3:
Knowledge of age group of addiction people:
|
AGE (yrs) |
No |
% |
|
<20 |
28 |
35.44 |
|
20-30 |
48 |
60.75 |
|
30-40 |
3 |
3.79 |
|
>40 |
– |
– |
|
Total |
79 |
99.98 =100% |
Table No.-4:
Knowledge of socio-economic status of addicted people:
|
Economic Status |
No |
% |
|
Poor class |
27 |
34.1 |
|
Middle class |
17 |
21.5 |
|
Upper class |
35 |
44.3 |
|
Total |
79 |
99.98 =100% |
Chart No.-3: Pie
diagram shows socio-economic status of addicted people:
 |
Table No.-5:
Knowledge of causes of addiction:
|
Causes |
No |
% |
|
Unemployment |
20 |
25.31 |
|
Frustration |
43 |
54.53 |
|
Influence from peer groups |
4 |
5.06 |
|
Easy availability of drugs |
5 |
6.32 |
|
Disharmony in family life |
6 |
7.59 |
|
Chance use |
1 |
1.26 |
|
Other |
– |
– |
|
Not known |
– |
– |
|
Total |
79 |
99.97 =100% |
Table No.-7:
Knowledge of common sources of dugs for addiction:
|
Source |
No |
% |
|
Friends |
31 |
39.24 |
|
Pharmacy |
11 |
13.92 |
|
Hospital/Clinics |
– |
– |
|
Markets |
7 |
8.86 |
|
Underground |
30 |
37.97 |
|
Total |
79 |
99.99 =100% |
Table No.-8:
Knowledge of effects of drug addiction:
|
Effects |
No |
% |
|
Physical Problems |
25 |
31.64 |
|
Become psyche |
19 |
24.05 |
|
Commit anti social activities |
30 |
37.97 |
|
Death |
1 |
1.26 |
|
Unemployment |
4 |
5.06 |
|
Total |
79 |
99.99 =100% |
Table No.-9:
Knowledge about authorities, responsible for the
prevention of addiction:
|
Authorities |
No |
% |
|
Directorate |
18 |
22.7 |
|
Drug |
16 |
20.2 |
|
Ministry of |
8 |
10.1 |
|
Ministry of |
20 |
25.3 |
|
Civil society |
9 |
11.3 |
|
Others |
8 |
10.1 |
|
Not known |
1 |
1.2 |
|
Total |
79 |
=100% |
Table No.-10:
Knowledge of appropriate agencies/authority for
management of addicts:
|
Agencies |
No |
% |
|
General Hospitals |
1 |
1.26 |
|
Specialized |
1 |
1.26 |
|
Parents |
25 |
31.64 |
|
Social welfare |
8 |
10.12 |
|
Others |
8 |
10.1 |
|
Total |
79 |
99.97 =100% |
Table No.-11:
Knowledge about sources of information about drug
addiction:
|
Sources |
No. |
% |
|
Parents |
13 |
16.58 |
|
Friends |
21 |
26.58 |
|
Books |
11 |
13.92 |
|
Radio |
6 |
7.59 |
|
TV |
27 |
34.17 |
|
Others |
1 |
1.26 |
|
Total |
79 |
99.97 =100% |
Tables &
Results
Table-1: Distribution of age of the respondents (Table-1
shows that mean (x) = 19.44 years, SD = 0.25 out of total 79 students 81F% were
in the age group between 19.20 years. All of them were young adults and 11.39%
were in lowest age group like 18years and 7.59% were in highest age 21 years.
Average age was 19.44 years with standard deviation 0.25.
Table-2: Distribution of the knowledge of the
respondent regarding drug addicted people/group.
Table-2 shows that
highest incidence of drug addiction occurs among student (57%) approximately
next to them are professional blood donors (18%) (Approximately) & then
among drivers (14%) (Approximately)& lowest among businessman which is 3%.
Table-3: Distribution of knowledge of respondent
about age group of addicted people Table-3 shows that highest incidence of
addiction occurs between 20-30 yrs (60.75%) on age and next to it 35.5%
addiction occurs below 20 years of age and very less incidence occur above 30
years (3.79) & no incidence above 40 years of age.
Table-4: Knowledge about socio-economic status of
addicted people.
Table-4 shows
that drug addiction occurs more among upper socioeconomic group (44.3%) and
lowest among middle class (17%) and average among poor class (34.1%)
Table-5: It shows that frustration is the no.1
course of drug addiction (54.43%), than unemployment (25.31%) is another
important cause of drug addiction. Among the other causes disharmony in family
life, easy availability of drugs, influence from peer group come
chronologically 7.59%, 6.32% & 5.06%.
Table-6: Knowledge of commonly used drug for
addiction.
Shows that most commonly
used drugs for addiction is phensidyl (50.63%) & then Heroine (25.31%),
Pethidine & alcohol comes next (11.39%)
& 8.86% respectively. Only one student don’t know about the name of
commonly used drugs.
Table-7: Knowledge of common sources of drugs for
addiction.
It has been shown
that command sources of drugs are from friends (39.24%). Underground agents are
also a good source of drug (37.97%). Drugs are also freely available from
pharmacy (13.92%).
Table-8: Knowledge of effects of drug addiction.
It shows that regarding effects of drug addiction antisocial activities are highest
(37.97%) than comes physical problems (31.04%) & then come psychological problem
(24.05%). Death also occurs 1.26% which is a fatal effect.
Table-9: Knowledge about authorities responsible
to prevent drug addiction
Table shows that
knowledge regarding responsible authorities for prevention of addiction are ministry
of health & family welfare is 25.3% then Directorate Narcotics Control
(22.7%) then Drug Administration 20.2%. Responsibilities of Civil Society (11.3%)
also important & then come Ministry of Home affairs (10.1%). Only one
respondent don’t know about the concerning authorities responsible authorities,
responsible for prevention of drug addiction.
Table-10: Distribution of respondent by knowledge
of appropriate agencies for management of addicts.
It shows that specialized hospital
(55.69%) is the no. 1 choice for appropriate management of addicts. Then come
the parents (31.64%) are appropriate authority for management of addicts.
Social welfare department (10.12%) occupy the next position and general
hospital (1.26%) become lease selected authority for management of addicts.
Table-11: Knowledge about
source of information about drug addiction.
Table-11 shows that knowledge about
sources of information regarding drug addiction is highest from television
(34.17%). So mass media plays an important role. Next from friends (26.58%) &
then from parents (16.45%) & knowledge from books (13.92%) & from radio
(7.39%). A reasonable percentage got information about drug addiction from
parents & friends.
CHAPTER-IV
DISCUSSION
This study was
conducted on the first year MBBS students of Z. H. Sikder Women’s Medical
College & Hospital (Pvt.) Ltd. to assess knowledge regarding
sociodemographic characteristic of drug addiction & sources of information
about addiction & after effects.
All the study population
were young adult female first year MBBS students of Z. H. Sikder Women’s
Medical College & Hospital (Pvt.) Ltd. & have average value of 19.44
yrs with standard deviation 0.25 (Table-1 & Fig-1). Thy have knowledge
about drug addicted people or group (Table-2 & Fig-2) that highest
incidence occurs within student. Along with it professional blood donors and
drivers are also addicted in a remarkable percentage. Among the businessman the
incidence are less. According to respondent the 20-30 year age group people
affected more by drug addiction and very less incidence occurs about 30 years
(3.9%) & no incidence occurs above 40 years (Table-3). Out of 79 respondent
from (Table-4 & Fig-3) 44.3% told that drug addiction occurs among upper
socioeconomic class where as lowest incidence (17%) occurs among middle class
and an average incidence occurs among poor class (34.1%). Out of all
respondents (54.43%) told that frustration is the no. 1 cause of drug addiction
& next to this unemployment is another important cause of drug addiction
(25.31%) (Table No-5). Other cause of drug addiction like disharmony in life
easy available of drugs, Influence from peer groups come (7.59%), 6.32%, 5.06%
respectively. Regarding knowledge of commonly used drugs from addiction is
phensidyl (50.63%) which is very easily available & next to this is Heroin
(25.31%), Pethidine (11.39%) & alcohol (8.86%) comes next respectively.
Only one student don’t know about the commonly used drug from addiction.
Regarding sources
of drug addiction (Table No.7) 39.24F% of students told that common source of
drugs are from friends, underground agents are also a good source of drugs
supply (37.97%) and 13.92% told about easy availability of drugs from pharmacy
and 8.88% told that another sources of drug is market. Out of 79 respondent from
(table 8) highest percentage (37.97%) told that antisocial activities are
alarming effect of drug addiction. Among other effects of drug addiction
physical problem (31.64%) & psychological problem (24.05%) also have great
important and 1.26% told that death is also a very fatal effect. Out of all
students (Table-9) regarding knowledge about responsible authorities to prevent
addiction (25.3%) told that Ministry of Health & Family7 welfare is the
responsible authority. Next to this 22.7% and 20.2% told that Directorate of
Narcotics Control and Drug administration (20.2%) are the responsible authority
respectively. Civil Society and Ministry of Home affairs (11.3% & 10.1%)
are also concerning authorities to prevent drug addiction. Maximum number of
student (From Table-10) told that (55.69%) appropriate management of drug
addicts can be done by specialized Hospital. Next to ti (31.64% told that
appropriate management can done by parents. Among other social welfare
department (10.12%) also can play important role for management of drug addicts
and according to there opinion General hospital (1.26%) are least important
authority to manage drug addicts. From Table 11 out of all students everybody have knowledge about source of information about
drug addiction maximum from Television (34.17%) from friends (26.58%), from parents
(16.45%), from books (13.92%) & rest (7.59%) from Radio.
CHAPTER-V
RECOMMENDATION
In view of the
study finding following recommendation are made:
1. Drug addiction, it’s bad
effects & preventive measures should be included in school curriculum.
2. Agencies concerned from
dealing with drugs addicts should accelerate their campaign through mass media
that is widespread publicity to develop a sense of awareness among people about
the consequence of drugs through all mass media.
3. To give special attention
to the high risk group of drug addicts (age group).
4. Law enforcing agencies
should be strict in respective entry of all banned drug identification and
stopping of underground market, drug traffickers should be seriously dealt
with.
5. Community participation
should be ensured to find out the drug addicts for treatment and rehabilitation
and in preventing the spread of drug addiction problems.
CONCLUSION
The students of
medical college are the active participants in health system of a country. So
if they have proper knowledge about drug addiction then they can propagate this
knowledge to the general people of Bangladesh. They can also motivate patients in
ward and in surrounding general public through health education about drug
addiction. And every person must award about the bed effect of drug addiction
on individual and also as a burden on the country.
References
1. Dr. Hossain Jahangir: Study on
Possible factors leading to drug addiction as stated by drug addicts attending
central drug addiction cure centre Tejgaon, Dhaka.
2. Park JE. Park K: Alcoholism and
dreg dependence Park’s Text book of Preventive and social medical 17th
edition Jabalpur, India 2003: 600, 483.
Annexure
- Annexure-1: Questionnaire in English
- Annexure-2: Self introduction to respondent
- Annexure-3: Work
schedule
- Annexure-4: Name of faculty member
Questionnaire
1. Name of the respondents (Student)
2. Age :
3. Religion :
Islam/Hindu/Buddhist/Christian/
Other
4. What is the occupation of your father?
Service/Farmer/Businessman/Working
abroad/others.
5. Who are the people
usually become addicted to drug?
Student/Businessman/Drivers/Professional
blood donor/Sex workers/Other.
6. At that age people become
more addicted?
Below-20yrs/20-30yrs/30-40
yrs/after 40 yrs
7. Which socio economic
group of people more addicted?
Poor class/Middle
class/upper class
8. What are the background
causes that lead to addiction?
Unemployment/Frustration/Influence
from peer group/easy availability of drug/ disharmony in family life/chance
use/others/ not known.
9. What drugs are commonly
used for addiction?
Phansedyl/Pethidine/Morphine/Heroine/
Sedative/hypnotic/alcohol/not
known
10. What are the common sources of the drugs?
Friends/Pharmacy/Hospital-clinic/Market/
Underground agents.
11. What are the affects of drug addiction?
Physical
problem/become psychic/comits antisocial
activities/death/unemployment.
12. Do you think that problem is
deteriorating?
Yes/No
13. If yes, put forward your
suggestion for prevention of addiction?
·
Banning sales of addicting drugs without valid
prescription
·
Dissemination of information about harmful effects of drug
·
Social support for the distressed and unemployed people
·
Proper enforcement of existing drug act
14. Please name the authorities
responsible for controlling drug addiction?
Directorate Narcotics
control/Drug administration/Ministry of Home/Ministry of Health & Family
welfare/Civil society/Others (specify)
15. Who are responsible for
management of the addicts?
General
hospital/Specialized hospital/Parents
Social welfare
department/Other (specify)
16. What are the sources of
your knowledge about drug addiction?
Parents/Frinds/Books/Raido/TV/
Other (specify)
17. Did you get any advice
from your guadians regarding avoidance of drug.
Yes/No