Le Thermomètre de la santé : usages de tabac, d’alcool et de cannabis chez les personnes en situation de handicap intellectuel

The prevalence and consumption patterns of tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis use among individuals with intellectual disabilities are poorly documented. Utilizing a new tool called the "Health Thermometer," derived from the Santé publique France Health Barometer and adapted for easy reading and comprehension, we estimate these prevalences from a sample of over 1,000 individuals with intellectual disabilities living in the Hauts-de-France region, predominantly working in sheltered employment centers (ESAT). The daily usage prevalence rates are 20.4% for tobacco, 3.5% for alcohol (with a 10.6% prevalence for a binge drinking episode in the past year), and 1.1% for cannabis, which are lower than those in the general population. However, the quantities consumed (number of cigarettes smoked daily or average number of alcoholic drinks per day) appear similar. Gender, as well as professional and financial status, are associated with these usages. To better tailor prevention policies, further research is necessary, as knowledge about addictive behaviors among individuals with intellectual disabilities is significantly lacking.