Prevalence of Substance Abuse and Related Factors in Type 2 Diabetic Patients Living in a Rural Area in Northern Iran

Diabetes is one of the most important diseases in the world. Substance abuse is one of the most important social problems in Iran. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of substance abuse and related factors in type 2 diabetic patients living in a rural area in northeastern Iran.

This was a cross-sectional study that was performed in 2018 on all diabetic patients (n=757) living in rural areas of Bandar-e-Gaz, northeastern Iran. Data were collected from patientschr('39') records and using a checklist comprising of 20 questions on demographic characteristics, history of type 2 diabetes and history of substance/drug abuse. Data analysis was performed with SPSS software using Pearsonchr('39')s correlation coefficient and the chi-square test.

The mean age of diabetic patients was 59.9 ± 8.14 years (range: 12-92 years). The frequency of smoking was 6.7% among the patients. The frequency of substance abuse in diabetic patients was 9.3% (n=70). Among the substance abusers, 76.3% were male and 42.5% were aged 50-59 years. Opium was the most commonly abused substance among diabetics (90%). According to the subjects, diabetes and its complications were the most important reason for substance abuse (74.3%). There was a statistically significant relationship between substance abuse in diabetic patients and some factors including gender, age, marital status, income level, treatment method and presence of diabetic complications (P<0.001).

Opium is the most commonly abused substance abuse among type 2 diabetic patients living in rural areas of Bandar-e-Gaz. In addition, substance abuse is more common among middle-aged men, farmers, married individuals as well as those with primary education and diabetes for 2-5 years.