Methamphetamine Abuse and Educational Level in Ahvaz

Farkhondeh Jamshidi, Elham Mohammadi

1- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology and Social Determinant of Health Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Iran
2- Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Methamphetamine abuse is a worldwide problem that imposes substantial global public health and costly social burdens. Methamphetamine is a potent psychomotor stimulant drug with strong physiological effects on peripheral and central systems, resulting in both physical and psychological alterations. Educational level and changes in lifestyle and culture due to educational development can effect on addiction. So the aim of this study is to assessment educational levels in patient addicted to Methamphetamine. Material and Methods: This epidemiological study started to assessment educational levels in patient addicted to Methamphetamine. In this study we evaluated 45 patients addicted to Methamphetamine. All patient that addicted to Methamphetamine that referred to Ahvaz Educational Hospitals entered to this study and educational levels of this patients was recorded. This patient signed agreement before entered to this study and it should be noted that in order to maintain confidentiality of patients, the file code is used rather than their names. In order to analyze the data using descriptive statistics including frequency tables, diagrams and numeric indices the variables will be described. Data analysis was done by SPSS Version 22 software. 564 Journal of Medical Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences (December- January 563-570) Results: In this study 45 patients was evaluated, data showed that average age of this patients was 37.25±10.63 years. Mein age of Illiterate patients was 58.00±0.0, Primary School patients was 42.80±11.10, middle School patients was 38.38±12.17, and High school patients was 33.19. ±8.10 and Higher Education patients was 37.60±8.50 (table 1). Also from 45 patients, one of them was Illiterate, 6 of them was Primary School, 16 of them was middle School, 17 of them was High school and 6 of them Higher Education. Conclusion: The highest prevalence of Methamphetamine addiction was observed in patients with a high school degree and then middle School. So we suggest that more research and studying in patient with this level of education. Also, mean age of High school patients was 33.19. ±8.10 that show critical age that need to more attention.

Keywords: Methamphetamine, Addiction, Educational Level