Prevalence and Patterns of Substance Use Disorders in Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital, Botswana

Abstract

Background Substance abuse has risen substantially, especially in developing nations, and has become one of the world's most significant public health and socioeconomic challenges. This is especially prevalent in Botswana, where substance abuse among adolescents and mental health patients has remained a serious public health problem, despite being inadequately recorded in many situations. Objectives The study's goal was to determine the frequency and patterns of drug abuse among patients at Botswana’s Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital. Method At the Sbrana Psychiatric hospital, a descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken among admitted patients in different wards for a period of 2-3 weeks. The systematic stratified sampling technique was used for admitted patients in order to acquire a sample size of 101 participants. Patients were approached at their respective wards and the researcher used the patients register to randomly select patients to take part in the study. The researcher selected every 2nd patient in order of the names as they appeared in the admission register in each ward. This was repeated until the number of patients required in a specific ward has been reached. Research tools Patients were screened for substance use disorders using the alcohol, smoking, and substance involvement screening test (ASSIST) v13.0. Additionally, a structured questionnaire was utilised to capture the study participants’ demographic characteristics. Data analysis Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23.0. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to describe the prevalence, patterns and socio- demographic characteristics of the participants. Univariate analysis was done with the use of Chi-square tests to investigate the link between socio-demographic characteristics and SUDS, and factors found to be significant were subject to multivariate analysis with use of logistical regression. Statistical significance thresholds were set at p < 0.05. ` xiv Results A total of 101 psychiatric patients were interviewed. There were more males 59.4% than females 40.6% who reported having a higher right of substance use, with the age range of 18- 60 years. The most frequently used substances were alcohol at 34.7%, Tobacco 58.4%, and cannabis 42.6% and cocaine at 12.8%. Significant associations were found between age, gender, and occupation status and education level for different SUDs. Conclusion and Recommendations There is a high prevalence of substance use (85.1%) and substance use disorder (63.4%) among psychiatric patients. It is highly recommended that public awareness should be matched with personnel training at institutional health facilities to lay out integrated interventions that take into account all connected issues, particularly the association of substance use disorders with diverse psychiatric disorders that every patient in need of assistance faces.