Abstract

Role of impulsivity in high-risk behavior in intravenous opioid users has not been studied much from our part of the world. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of impulsivity and high-risk behavior among intravenous opioid users in Kashmir and to find the relationship between the two. Methodology: It was a hospital based descriptive study conducted in the postgraduate department of Psychiatry, GMC, Srinagar. A total of 400 patients were included in the study using purposive sampling. After obtaining written informed consent from the patients, sociodemographic data, Barratt’s impulsivity scale (BIS-11) to assess impulsivity and HIV-related high-risk behavior scale (HRBS) to assess high risk behavior were used.For inferential statistics, Pearson’s Chi-square was used and two-sided p values were reported and p value of 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Correlation statistics were used to find the relationship between various variables. Results: On analysis of 400patients,it was revealed that 174(43.5%) patients scored high in impulsivity and 170(42.5%) scored high in high-risk behaviors. Besides, a strong positive correlation was found between impulsivity and high-risk behavior in these patients (r=0.643, p≤0.01). Conclusions: As impulsivity is often associated with a high risk of substance use, it is worthwhile to understand the interplay of impulsivity, substance use, abstinence and relapse. Besides, patients with high impulsivity being at an increased risk of developing and passing HIV, they can be targets for HIV prevention strategies.

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