Author/Authors :
Nasiri, Naser Department of Public Health - School of Public Health - Jiroft University of Medical Sciences , Abedi, Leili Institute for Futures Studies in Health - Kerman University of Medical Sciences , Hajebi, Ahmad Research Center for Addiction and Risky Behaviors and Department of Psychiatry - School of Medicine - Iran University of Medical Sciences , Noroozi, Alireza chool of Advanced Technologies in Medicine and Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Khalili, Malahat Institute for Futures Studies in Health - Kerman University of Medical Sciences , Chegeni, Maryam Institute for Futures Studies in Health - Kerman University of Medical Sciences , Nili, Sairan Institute for Futures Studies in Health - Kerman University of Medical Sciences , Taheri-Soodejani, Moslem Institute for Futures Studies in Health - Kerman University of Medical Sciences , Noroozi, Mehdi Social Determinants of Health Research Center - University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences , Shahesmaili, Armita Institute for Futures Studies in Health - Kerman University of Medical Sciences , Sharifi, Hamid Institute for Futures Studies in Health - Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Abstract :
Background: Estimating the population who use drugs is essential for planning, monitoring, and evaluation of substance use prevention and treatment. This study aims to estimate the population who misuse tramadol in urban population in Iran. Methods: We used the wisdom of the experts (WOTE) and network scale-up (NSU) methods to calculate the population of tramadol misusers in 10 provincial capitals of Iran, in 2016. The WOTE was conducted among pharmacists in drugstores and the personnel of traditional medicinal herbs stores. They guessed the best estimation of tramadol misusers population in their cities. The NSU method was conducted among the general population and participants were questioned about ever and daily, non-medical use of tramadol during last 12 months in their network. The median of the methods was used to calculate the proportion of the adult population (15-49 years old). Findings: The population size of tramadol misusers in studied cities was 83300 [95% uncertainty limits (UL): 47960-256220]. This corresponded to 6.6 per 1000 (95% UL: 3.88-20.30) of the 15-49-year-old population. The projected number of tramadol misusers for all 31 provincial capitals was 118290 (95% UL: 68100-363130840) and 212440 (95% UL: 122310-653410) for all urban areas. NSU also estimated the number of people who misuse tramadol on daily basis. These numbers were 52000 (95% UL: 19940-176570) for studied cities, 73840 (95% UL: 28320-250740) for all 31 provincial capital cities, and 132610 (95% UL: 50860-450310) for all urban areas in Iran. Conclusion: This study presents information on high prevalence of tramadol misuse in urban population. We need national control measures and demand reduction programs to control tramadol misuse.
Keywords :
Tramadol , Prescription drug misuse , Population , Network scale-up method , Wisdom of the experts , Iran
