Psychoactive substance use in three sites in China: gender differences and related factors.

One year prevalence rates for psychoactive substance use are reported based on a community survey in Hunan, Helongjiang and Jiangsu. Data were gathered on more than 14,000 respondents (15-65 years old). The drinking rates ranged from 58.3% to 82.6% for men and from 16.3% to 31.4% for women. Smoking rates ranged from 64.9% to 68.1% for men and from 0.1% to 20.5% for women. Most drinkers were light users and most smokers were heavy users. Illicit drug use was found in the Hunan site. For both frequency and quantity of psychoactive substance use, women are lighter consumers than males (except for the use of minor tranquillizers and analgesics). Psychosocial factors related to drinking and smoking are also investigated in this study.