Gender differences in clinical and sociodemographic pattern of substance Use disorder

Abstract

Abstract Background Substance use disorder (SUD) is a significant public health concern and is one among the most common psychiatric disorders beginning in young adulthood. The history of substance abuse is as old as mankind itself; recently it has become a global problem that is influenced by social, economic, political, and psychosocial factors, scientist have long noted an association between social relationships and health. Aim of the work to analyze and discuss similarities and difference between the genders in substance use disorder, highlighting severity of substance use disorder in both male and female focusing on comorbidity of substance use disorder in both male and female. Subjects and Methods This cross sectional descriptive study was conducted on a sample of 117 addict patient (39 f and 78 m) who seek a treatment in Egyptian psychiatric hospitals. The Sample was collected from inpatient and outpatient department of Ain Shams Psychiatric hospital, Heliopolis (Almatar) Psychiatric Hospital and Alabasseya Psychiatric hospital. Results the study revealed a statistically significant difference in various parameters as the mean age of abuse was higher among men than women with longer duration of life time and last 30 days intake compared to females. As regard marital status, married men percentage was lower in comparison to females who had a higher percentage of divorces. Regarding educational level, more females completed primary level but more males completed to tertiary diploma and higher percentage compared with females. Males abuse was more physically and emotionally but females exposed to more sexual abuse. Legal problems were higher in males as violation and drug charge compared to the females. On the other hand, job and dealing drugs as a source of money for drugs were mainly in males but females gained money mainly from the family or prostitution. Men showed higher rates of HCV infection than female. Conclusion there is a clear difference between men and women in many of the points covered in this study, which confirms that there must be different programs developed specifically for women and not as sometimes happens by the application of treatment programs addiction to men, which leads to the consequences of unsatisfactory For female patients as well as those involved in the treatment of addiction.