Prevalence of Cannabis Use among Patients with Psychosis Reporting to the Psychiatry Ward, Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital

OBJECTIVES To assess the prevalence and pattern of cannabis use among psychosis patients and its association with age group, gender, and socioeconomic status. METHODOLOGY This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Psychiatry Ward of Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital, Swat, using a consecutive sampling method on 183 patients. Pakistani male and female psychotic patients aged 18 and above with a history of cannabis use were included, while those with other psychiatric disorders, intellectual disabilities, neurodevelopmental disorders, incomplete records, or unwillingness to participate were excluded. Data on age, gender, and socioeconomic status were collected. Cannabis use frequency and duration were self-reported. RESULTSThe mean age was 35.49 ± 9.14 years. There were 46 (25.14%) females and 137 (74.86%) males. Cannabis use was reported in 56 (30.6%) patients, with daily use by 48 (26.23%) and twice-daily use by 8 (4.37%) patients. Cannabis use was significantly associated with age group (p<0.001) and gender (p<0.001), but not with socioeconomic status (p=0.7). Daily or twice-daily use was more common among adolescents (50%) than adults (22%), with no females reporting daily or twice-daily use. CONCLUSION Cannabis use was prevalent among psychosis patients, with higher frequency observed in adolescents and males. Adolescents were more likely to report daily or twice-daily use of the substance. Frequent use was more common among individuals from low- and medium-socioeconomic backgrounds.