Psychoactive substance use in three sites in China: Gender differences andrelated factors

One year prevalence rates for psychoactive substance use are reported based on community surveys performed in three sites in China: Human, Heilongjian g and Jiangsu. The data were gathered on more than 14 000 respondents (15-6 5 years old). The drinking rates were from 58.3 to 82.6% for men and from 1 6.3 to 31.4% for women. smoking rates range from 64.9 to 68.1% for men and from 0.1 to 20.5% for women. Most drinkers were light users and most smoker s were heavy users. Illicit drug use was observed at Human. Regarding frequ ency and quantity of psychoactive substance use, women are lighter consumer s than their male counterparts except for use of minor tranquilizers and an algesics. The psychosocial factors related to drinking and smoking were als o investigated in this study.