Substance Use Among Medical Residents in Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The aim of this study was to obtain an estimate of the prevalence of various substance use among resident doctors of medical universities in Tehran, Iran. A 43-item questionnaire was distributed among 1795 residents of 3 main medical universities in Tehran. Response rate was 68.2%. Alcohol was the most widely used substance, although the rate was much less frequent than the rates reported in Western countries. Opium, cannabis, and heroin use were in the next order, whereas opium was the most frequently reported substance for daily use. Recreation was the main reason for the substance use. The majority of substance users had started their use in general medical training. Substance use was correlated positively to male gender and a positive family history of any substance use and negatively to having religious beliefs and practices. Although the study showed that most cases of substance use were limited to casual use, high figures of lifetime use mandates the implementation of training, psychoeducation, and preventive programs, especially in the general medical training period.