Prevalence of Anti-Social Behavior Among Women with Substance Use Disorder in Pakistan

INTRODUCTION: Pakistan is ominously impacted by the menace of substance abuse. Women, who represent 42% of the total population, are primarily affected by the use of illicit substances with co-occurring behavioural disorders. Despite extensive efforts, prevalence estimates reported here are likely to underestimate substance use among women. A high level of dependency was observed among the cases who were reported; however, the unreported cases in the general population are beyond the count. This study focuses on an approximation about the prevalence of anti-social behaviour among women in Pakistan with substance use disorder. 

METHODS: A uniform survey, Subtypes of AntiSocial Behaviour (STAB), was used for data collection. Data was collected from five women treatment and rehabilitation centres by using a convenient sampling approach. The sample size comprised of 100 women, with 20 women from each centre, aged between 25 to 45. Descriptive statistics for quantitative analysis were used.

RESULTS: The results were compiled on the bases of three major questions including frequent behaviour on physical, social aggression and rule breaking, followed by sub questions. The responses indicated that among the sample of one hundred, 28.9% women reported to frequently express the physical aggression, 28.2% demonstrated social aggression and 30.5% stated to break the rules under the influence of multiple illicit substances.

CONCLUSIONS: The study’s findings indicate the prevalence of antisocial behaviour among women who use substances. This study designates that scaling up the psychoeducation and recovery management programs for women may help to understand their issues and minimise antisocial behaviour and substance use.