Mental Illness and Substance Use Among Military Personnel in Botswana Defence Force

Abstract

Introduction: Different studies have reported high prevalence of substance use and mental illness among military personnel compared civilian personnel. This study was assessing common mental illness and substance use among military personnel and also identifying any socio-demographic determinants of substance use and mental illness in this population. Objective: To determine the prevalence of substance use and mental illness and among military personnel in Botswana Defence Force. Methodology: This study was a cross sectional descriptive study among military personnel in Botswana Defence Force using multi-stage sampling method. Data was collected using; socio demographic questionnaire, WHO ASSIST and MINI 6. Results: The results revealed high prevalence of substance use (42.11%) and mental illness (10.79%) among military personnel in Botswana Defence Force. The results also revealed statistically significant association between mental illness and substance use (χ2=31.126, p-value=0.0025) Among the socio-demographic correlates, the results revealed a statistically significant association between military rank and substance use (χ2=36.065, p-value=0.002), military rank and mental illness (χ2=18.065, p-value=0.0127), marital status and substance use (χ2=13.673, p-value=0.013), marital status and mental illness (χ2=9.367, p-value=0.025), exposure to trauma and substance (χ2=33.802, p-value≤0.001), and also exposure to trauma and mental illness (χ2=15.126, p-value=0.050). Conclusion: There is high prevalence of mental illness and substance use among military personnel in BDF, which may negatively affects the overall fitness of service members and the military at large.