A Descriptive Study to Assess the Perceived Social Burden of Substance Abuse among Family Members of Drug Addicted Patients at Drug De-addiction Centre

Abstract

Background: The study was conducted with the aim to assess the perceived social burden of substance abuse among family members of drug-addicted patients at drug de-addiction centre in Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital of Kashmir (SMHS), Srinagar, Kashmir, India. Methodology: Quantitative research approach in SMHS Hospital Srinagar, purposive sampling technique was used on 100 family members of drug-addicted patients. The obtained data was analysed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result: The findings of the study revealed that the mean, median, standard deviation and mean percentage of burden score of family members is 90.58; 91; 7.54.; with maximum score 105 and minimum score 72, range 33 with mean percentage 75.48 respectively. The present study indicates that maximum of respondents 90 (90%) had severe burden, 10 (10%) had moderate burden. The Chi-square value shows that there is significant association between the burden score level and demographic variables [Gender (P=0.4), type of family (P=0.28) and relation with patient (P=0.000)]. Conclusion: Majority of the subjects whose relatives were seeking treatment at drug de-addiction centre experienced severe burden, as they were less social. Both genders experienced moderate to severe burden but females had more burden than males. There was significant association of the level of perceived social burden with selected demographic variables such as gender, type of family and relation with patient. No significant association was found with age, education, income, occupation and residence.