Yasna Rostam-Abadi1, Jaleh Gholami1, Masoumeh Amin-Esmaeili1,2, Shahab Baheshmat1,3, Marziyeh Hamzehzadeh1,3, Hossein Rafiemanesh4, Morteza Nasserbakht5, Leila Ghalichi6, Anousheh Safarcherati1, Farhad Taremian7, Ramin Mojtabai2, Afarin Rahimi-Movaghar1. 1. Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2. Mental Health Department, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America. 3. Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine (SATiM), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 4. Student Research Committee, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 5. Mental Health Research Center, Tehran Psychiatry Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 6. Mental Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran. 7. Substance Abuse and Dependence research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
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.
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.
Authors: Ali Nikfarjam; Mostafa Shokoohi; Armita Shahesmaeili; Ali Akbar Haghdoost; Mohammad Reza Baneshi; Saiedeh Haji-Maghsoudi; Azam Rastegari; Abbas Ali Nasehi; Nadereh Memaryan; Termeh Tarjoman Journal: Int J Drug Policy Date: 2016-02-13