CANNABIS USE: PREVALENCE AND CORRELATES AMONG THE INPATIENTS OF FIRST EPISODE PSYCHOSIS AT COMBINED MILITARY HOSPITAL, LAHORE

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency and correlates of cannabis use among the psychiatric inpatients presenting with first episode of psychosis at Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Lahore.

Study Design: Correlational study.

Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital Lahore, from Nov 2016 to Apr 2017.

Methodology: A total of 88 patients between 18-40 years of age, both male and female, meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria, presenting to Psychiatry department, CMH Lahore; were enrolled in the study after obtaining their informed consent. Patients were interviewed through Present state examination and the diagnosis was made on the basis of International Classification of Diseases version 10. The data was recorded on the study proforma. Outcome variable was frequency of cannabis abuse among these patients of first episode psychosis. It was compared among various age and gender groups and across educational, marital and residential status of the patient.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 26.59 ± 5.79 years. There were 57 (64.8%) male and 31 (35.2%) female patients in the study group, with a ratio of 1.8 males to 1 female (1.8:1). Cannabis use was found in 25 (28.4%) patients. Statistical analysis revealed non-significant difference in the frequency of cannabis use in age (p=0.15), gender (p=0.69), educational (p=0.91), marital (p=0.180) and residential status (p=0.30).

Conclusion: Cannabis use is highly correlated and prevalent among the patients presenting with first episode of psychosis.