Comorbid psychiatric disorders among staff using alcohol and seeking counseling services in the city county of Nairobi

Abstract

Alcohol is about to get the attention usually reserved for AIDs and malaria (AAAS, 2008). Statistics show that 56% of public officers in Kenya have drunk alcohol; it is the most abused substance with a prevalence of 33% among public sector employees (NACADA Authority 2011). Alcohol use among the public servants affect the country’s social and economic goals, this could lead to delay in achieving Kenya’s vision 2030. Objectives Determine the prevalence of AUD among staff, Identify work environment/ type of work which promotes use of alcohol; determine the prevalence of psychiatric comorbid disorders among staff using alcohol and their socio demographic characteristics. Design The study was a descriptive cross sectional study. Purposive sampling method was used to pick participants from the counseling unit. Settings The study was carried out at the Counseling unit, Human resource department in the City County of Nairobi (CCN). Methods The study sample comprised 221 participants who were seeking counseling services at the counseling unit who met the inclusion criteria. They were interviewed using the researcher designed social demographic questionnaire; Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM IV (SCID) tool after obtaining their consent. Descriptive and inferential analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 12 and the findings were presented in form of narratives, percentages, graphs and figures. Results: The study recruited 221 participants. 60.2% males and 39.8% females. Comorbid psychiatric disorders were prevalent 68.3%, with the most being PTSD and MDD. The prevalence of depressive disorder was 13.6% and 18.1% participants meet the criteria for panic disorder. The 4.5% of participants met the criteria for psychotic disorders were all males in salary scales 15, 16, 17 and 18, 2.7% of the participants had OCD. Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) prevalence was 35.7% (79), the prevalence of alcohol abuse was 21.7% (48) while dependence was14.0% (31). Most respondents came from Administration, Environment, Inspectorate, City Engineer and City treasurers’ department with most of them being in salary scale 15-18. The respondents from these salary scales worked as firemen, labourers, messengers and City Askaris (Security). Conclusion, The prevalence of co morbid psychiatric disorders was high at 68.3%. Recommendations: Nairobi City County should improve the mental health services for the employees by focusing on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.