Some Epidemiological Characteristics Of Heroin Addicts Clinicaly Treated in Post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina

Aim To assess the frequency of some epidemiological characteristics amongst heroin dependant psychiatric patients in post war Bosnia and Herzegovina. Methods We analyzed sixty heroin addicts (47 males; χ²-test=19.3, P<0.001) who were treated in the Department of Psychiatry Tuzla, during the period 1 st July 2007- 30 th Jun 2008, and were tested with Pompidou questionnaire. Results Average age of the group of patients studied was 27.3±5.6 years (min. 20- max. 44 years), the age of the first intake of heroin was 19.9±4.3 year and average duration of heroin addiction was 6.4±4.2 years. 43/60 started treatment following own decision, 48/60 coming from town’s environments, 46/60 were unemployed, 15/60 finished elementary school and 45/60 finished secondary school. 34/60 own driver’s licenses, males significantly more frequently 31/47 than females 3/13 (χ²-test=7.6, P=0.006). 39/60 had no marriage experience. 15/60 had own children (1-3 kids). 12/60 had experience of parents’ divorce, 13/60 had lost one parent and 2/60 lost both parents. Material status of parents was below average for 21/60, and average for 36/60. 24/60 had parent(s) who suffered from certain psychiatric disorder(s). Two thirds had judicial proceedings, and 33/60 were imprisoned. Hepatitis “C” virus infections were reported from 18/60 heroin addicts. Conclusion Majority of heroin addicts who were treated in Psychiatry Clinic in Tuzla were males, from towns, unemployed, not married, with finished secondary schools, owners of driver licenses, had average material status of parents. Majority of them had judicial proceedings with imprisonment. Hepatitis “C” infection was highly presented.