Prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of substance use in a rural community in Sikkim, North East India: Results from a pilot population survey

Abstract

Introduction: Sikkim, a province in North East India, inhabited by indigenous population of Lepchas, Bhutias, and Nepalis, lies in the foothills of the Himalayas sharing borders with Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan. Information on epidemiology of substance use in Sikkim is not available. Objectives: To quantify prevalence and nature of substance use. Design: Single, cross-sectional, pilot, community-based survey. Method: This pilot survey was conducted in a rural community setting in East Sikkim with a household of 118. Results: Prevalence of substance use has been 76.7% (only alcohol 55.3%, cannabis 13.6%, opioid 5.8%). Most drug users belonged to 15–44 years age group with 74.6% having onset in the 15–20 years age range, but only 3.9% had a history of migration. Knowledge about AIDS was significantly low at 36.7% compared with the non-drug using population (62.5%). Conclusions: Alcohol use is higher than national prevalence rates requiring targeted intervention.