Correlates of substance use in Northeast States, India

Background: Substance use is an international problem which affects more or less every country in the world. Despite the increased awareness of injurious effects of substance use, India is a one of the countries with high prevalence of tobacco and alcohol use. Evidence suggests the magnitude of substance use is likely to be higher among Northeast who residing in adverse geographical settings. It states that the increased of substance use in developing nations where health and economic system are weakest is of great concern to WHO. Keeping this in background, the present paper is analyzed patterns and correlates of substance use in Northeast states, India. Methods: Using information from the fourth round of District Level Household Survey (2012-13). The outcome variables included in the study was substance use (smokeless tobacco, smoke and alcohol consumption). Bivariate and multivariate technique used to determine the difference and understand the net effect of predictor variables on the substance use. Results: The result shows that substance use was significantly high among the young age group of 25-34 years. The prevalence of substance use was high among male as compared to female and substance use is slightly low among more educated person. Substance use was high in Meghalaya and Mizoram as compared to other northeast states. Factors such as age group, social group, sex, education and economic status of household were significantly associated with substance use in Northeast states, India. Conclusion: We conclude by this study, the prevalence of substance use in northeast was very high and alarming. There are really an important health concerns and they need to be counseled about the ill effect of substance use. Establishment of de-addiction centers or strong referral to de-addiction centers among those consuming alcohol or other substances might be a novel step for well-being of Northeast people. Government specially, Doctors and media should play their roles and spread information regarding harmful effects of using substance use. In order to control substance use more effectively, state governments should implement the existing national acts of tobacco and alcohol control at the district level.