Satisfaction of drug addicts rehabilitated in the centers in the Galle District 2004

Abstract

A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out to describe the facilities available in the rehabilitation centers for Drug Addicts (RCDA) in the Galle District; to describe socio demographic characteristics of drug addicts and details of their drug abuse and rehabilitation. level of satisfaction among the drug addicts regarding some of the facilities available in RCDA also studied. Study was carried out among all the drug addicts admitted to RCDA in Galle District during a period of 3 months from 01/September/ 2004 to 30/November/2004. Out of 385 drug addicts admitted to RCDA in the Galle District during the study period, 381 addicts (99 percent) participated in the study. 99 percent of the drug addicts were males. Large proportions of addicts (44.9 percent) belong to the 31 - 40 years age group, followed by 21 - 30 years age group. 74 was Sinhalese while Burgher's (4.5 percent) were observed to be over represented. Majorities (55.9 percent) were Buddhists, but Catholics (33.6 percent) were observed to be over represented. Majority of the drug addicts (63.3 percent) belong to the educational category GCE (O/L) or above. Majority of the drug addicts (70.1 percent) started drug abuse during 10-20 years of age. 54.1 percent of addicts attracted heroin as their first drug of abuse. Less than 1 percent of addicts used intravenous route. There was a significant association between the reasons for drug abuse and mean starting age of drug abuse (P0.001). A statistically significant association was seen. there is no significant association between the mean expenditure and social class or mean expenditure with urban rural difference. There was a statistically significant association between monthly income and expenditure for drugs (p0.001). 44.9 percent of addicts in RCDA were first admissions and 55.1 percent were readmissions. There is a statistically significant association between mean period of drug addiction and first admission and readmission status (P0.001). There is no statistically significant association between number of admissions and the period of abstinence. High proportion of addicts in RCDA managed by NDDCB was satisfied with the facilities compared to those in NJAHS managed centers (P0.001)