Gender differences in substance use patterns and disorders among an Iranian patient sample receiving methadone maintenance treatment

Abstract

BackgroundThe current prevalence rate of substance abuse and dependence, represents an increasing trend of substance abuse and dependence among women, and the results of epidemiology studies indicate that substance use patterns are different between men and women. This study aimed to determine gender differences in substance use patterns and disorders among the patients undergoing methadone maintenance treatment.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted throughout a specified time bracket ranging from September 2012 through March 2013 in Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) clinics of Mashhad, Iran. In this study, 140 men and 120 women were selected from among the patients referring to MMT clinics in Mashhad through purposeful sampling method. The sample units were assessed using a demographic information questionnaire and Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (SCID). The data were then analyzed by Chi Square test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Independent-samples t-test. SPSS software 16 was used to conduct statistical analyses with P values less than 0.05 regarded as significant.ResultsThe results showed that men and women are significantly different from each other in terms of marital status (p=0.001), education (p=0.001), income (p=0.001), history of injection (p=0.002), imprisonment (p=0.001), and substance use abstention (p=0.023). It was also revealed that methamphetamine dependence (p=0.017) and simultaneous use of multiple substances (p=0.001) in the past 12 months were diagnosed, to a larger extent, in male participants than those in female participants. In addition, the diagnoses of nicotine dependence (p=0.001), cannabis abuse (p=0.001), heroin dependence (p=0.001), and substance abuse and alcohol dependence (p=0.001) during a lifetime were more frequently existing in males than those in females.ConclusionThere are gender differences in substance use patterns and disorders that appear to be caused by the degree of access to substances and the impacts of cultural and social aspects on men and women in Iran.

Cannabis Use Among Patients Attending A Methadone Maintenance Treatment Clinic In Nairobi, Kenya

“…However, the proportion of males relative to females in our study was higher than reported in studies done in the other regions (15,16,18,21,22). This can be attributed to variation in substance use patterns in the different regions where these studies have been conducted.…”

“…A systematic review of 23 studies reported prevalence of cannabis use in opioid use disorder to range 11.2%-78.6% (14). A study in Iran eported gender differenc in use where the prevalence of cannabis use in males was 25% and 5% for females (18).…”

The impact of motivational interviewing on relapse to substance use among women in Iran: a randomized clinical trial

“…Prior studies of the Farsi/Persian-translated version indicate internal consistencies ranging from .74 to .81 [17,18]. Gholami & Shareh (2015) [3] found that the scales distinguished between treatment and control groups as expected in substancedependent persons (e.g., craving and likelihood of drug use was reduced), supporting scale validity. In the current research, Cronbach's alpha was found to be 0.91.…”

“…Women and drug abuse Given Iran's proximity to a major opioid trade route, illicit drug use is a major problem in Iran and opioids in particular are readily available [1][2][3][4]. Due to stigma, prevalence research on drug use is scant, although use of stimulants and injection drugs appears to have increased over time.…”

“…Aside from opioids, 12-month prevalence rates for common illegally used substances in Iran are as follows: Alcohol, 2%; cannabis, 1%; and methamphetamine, .5% [3]. Substance use and dependence are increasing among women in Iran and therefore, clinics specializing in the addictions for women are opening [3]. Although women use substances at lower rates than men, women who are in need do not get needed and critical intervention.…”