Estimating the prevalence of cannabinoid use urine testing: a preliminary study in Kerman, Iran

Evidence for an increase in cannabis use in Iran - A systematic review and trend analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Cannabis is the most widely used illicit substance globally. In this systematic review, we examined the prevalence and trends of cannabis use and cannabis use disorder in Iran.

METHODS

We searched International and Iranian databases up to March 2021. Pooled prevalence of use among sex subgroups of the general population, university and high school students, combined youth groups, and high-risk groups was estimated through random-effects model. Trends of various use indicators and national seizures were examined.

RESULTS

Ninety studies were included. The prevalence estimates of last 12-month cannabis use were 1.3% (95%CI: 0.1-3.6) and 0.2% (95%CI: 0.1-0.3) among the male and female Iranian general population, respectively. The prevalence of cannabis use disorder among general population in national studies rose from 0% in 2001 to 0.5% in 2011. In the 2016-2020 period, the pooled prevalence estimates of last 12-month cannabis use were 4.9% (95% CI: 3.4-6.7) and 0.3% (95% CI: 0.0-1.3) among males and females of "combined youth groups", respectively. The linear trend of last 12-month cannabis use among males of "combined youth groups" and among female university students increased significantly from 2000 to 2020.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence of cannabis use in Iran is low compared to many countries. However, there is strong evidence of an increase in cannabis use among the youth and some evidence for an increase in cannabis use disorder.

Prevalence of Cannabis Lifetime Use in Iranian High School and College Students: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analyses, and Meta-Regression

Cannabis is the most widely used substance in the world. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of cannabis lifetime use (CLU) in high school and college students of Iran and also to determine factors related to changes in prevalence. A systematic review of literature on cannabis use in Iran was conducted according to MOOSE guideline. Domestic scientific databases, PubMed/Medline, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Google Scholar, relevant reference lists, and relevant journals were searched up to April, 2014. Prevalences were calculated using the variance stabilizing double arcsine transformation and confidence intervals (CIs) estimated using the Wilson method. Heterogeneity was assessed by Cochran's Q statistic and I(2) index and causes of heterogeneity were evaluated using meta-regression model. In electronic database search, 4,000 citations were retrieved, producing a total of 33 studies. CLU was reported with a random effects pooled prevalence of 4.0% (95% CI = 3.0% to 5.0%). In subgroups of high school and college students, prevalences were 5.0% (95% CI = 3.0% to -7.0%) and 2.0% (95% CI = 2.0% to -3.0%), respectively. Meta-regression model indicated that prevalence is higher in college students (β = 0.089, p < .001), male gender (β = 0.017, p < .001), and is lower in studies with sampling versus census studies (β = -0.096, p < .001). This study reported that prevalence of CLU in Iranian students are lower than industrialized countries. In addition, gender, level of education, and methods of sampling are highly associated with changes in the prevalence of CLU across provinces.

Initiation to the first drug use among substance-dependent persons in Iran

In the present study, we report the initiation to the first drug in a representative sample of drug dependents in Iran. This is a cross-sectional study with a sample size of 7,743. The participants were characterized as drug dependents according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-Fourth Edition and were sampled from the medical centers, prisons, and streets of the capitals of 29 provinces in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The mean age at first drug use in the sample was 21.1 (6.5), which differed for various first drugs of abuse. Opium was the first drug of use among 46.4% of the sample, and cannabis was the first drug only among 23.5%. The most frequent place of initiation was at a friend's house (n = 2,476, 33.2%). The same-gender friend out of school (the highest rate) was the most frequent person who suggested the first use. A total of 43.5% of the participants started drug use with friends and 18.8% at a friend's party. Policymakers may benefit from considering the information provided here in designing programs with the purpose of prevention.