Patterns of Heroin Use and Risk Behaviors among Prisoners, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Background: All drug users and abusers who end up with significant health and social complications are not known. Heroin use patterns and risk behaviors can cause adverse results for users as well as society. The purpose of this study is to assess the patterns of heroin use and heroin user’s, risk behaviors in prisoners, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Methods:  This is a cross-sectional study conducted in 334 heroin users aged 18 years and above.

 A face to face interview questionnaire was administrated purposively sampling.

Results: The majority (51.2%) of interviewees were aged 39–58years. Prominent percentage of them were received grade 5 to 10 of education (70%). Drug use was largely introduced from friends and obtained from friends (86.2% and 85.5% respectively). Peer pressure was the main reason to take heroin (96.3%). There were significant number of heroin used their friends (96.1%). Polydrug use and overdose experience were less common. Tobacco smoking and alcohol use were more prominent (62.6%, 76% respectively). The prevalence of injecting drug use was remained as previous reported percentage (2.1%). Out of 96.1% heroin everyday used. Out of 56.6% were used twice a day. The majority of had experienced of early arrested history (93.9%).

Conclusion: The pattern of drug use was equal to those indicated in nearby countries. However, the high prevalence of smoking heroin use, tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking and criminal behaviors is a concern. There is an urgent need to launch new laws and policies, proper rehabilitation requirements to control and eradicate heroin threat in Sri Lanka.