Substance Abuse Among Different Age Groups and Genders: A Cross-Sectional Study of Patients Attending Public Psychiatry Hospital of Hyderabad

Abstract

Background: Substance use disorders (SUDs) remain a critical global public health issue, with young adults and males consistently identified as high-risk groups. However, limited epidemiological data from psychiatric populations in low-resource settings restricts the development of targeted interventions. Cultural stigma and healthcare access disparities further obscure the gendered dimensions of substance abuse in South Asian contexts. Objective: To assess the prevalence, demographic correlates, and clinical impact of substance abuse across age and gender among patients attending a public psychiatry hospital in Hyderabad, Pakistan. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2024 to January 2025 at the public psychiatric hospital in Sindh. A total of 385 psychiatric outpatients with substance use history were recruited via convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire capturing demographics, substance use patterns, and health impacts. Descriptive and inferential statistics were analyzed using SPSS v29, including logistic regression to identify predictors of severe dependence. Results: The majority of participants were aged 18–25 (69.1%) and male (94.8%). Alcohol was the most abused substance (39.0%), with 51.9% of users reporting daily use. Severe dependence was significantly associated with younger age, unemployment, daily use, and severe mental health impact (adjusted OR 3.94, 95% CI: 2.15–7.23; p < 0.001). A strong positive correlation was observed between mental health burden and dependence severity (r = 0.92, p = 0.04). Conclusion: Substance dependence is highly prevalent among young, unemployed males with psychiatric comorbidities. Integrated, age- and gender-sensitive screening and treatment models are urgently needed in psychiatric services across low-resource settings.