Pattern of substance abuse in multi ethnic groups in different localities of Karachi

Background: Substance abuse is a growing endemic in our population. Gutka, areka nut, cigarette, paan and niswar are being the five most common addictive in current use. Through this study the patterns of abuse in different ethnicities and the reason for initiation of different additives 1 was assessed. Objectives: The objectives of this survey were to:  To compare substance abuse in different ethnic groups  To assess the preference of addictives in males and females  To assess the reason of initiation of addictive. Method: This cross sectional study was done in adjoining squatter settlement of Ziauddin University. Data was collected by questionnaires filled by trained medical professionals in medical camps. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS20. Results: Results were compiled of 125 subjects. Gutka was found out to be the most common addictive used by all ethnicities, except in the Hazara community where gutka and areca nut both were very common. Peer pressure [63.2 % (n=79)] was found the major reason for initiation of the addictive. Conclusion: The situation of substance abuse is grave due to easy availability of these products. More strategies need to be implemented at the government level to decrease the consumption of these addictives in the masses.