The association between substance use disorder and schizophrenia among patients attending out patient services in Mathari Teaching and Referral Hospital

Abstract

Substance use disorderis the most prevalent co-morbidity in schizophrenia. The rates of substance use disorder in schizophrenia patients has been estimated to be 4 to 5 times that in the general population, and contributes to an unfavourable prognosis. Other research findings differ, suggesting that the prevalence of substance use disorder in schizophrenia is comparable to that in the general population. Thus; the aim of this study is to determine the association between substance abuse and schizophrenia among patients receiving services at Mathari Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH). This study employed a case control design (60 cases and 60 controls). A Researcher designed socio-demographic questionnaire, Alcohol and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Tool (MINI plus) was used as study instruments. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 17.0 The mean age of participants 33.55 for cases versus 33.45 for controls, there is an association between schizophrenia and Substance Use (OR=3.237; C.I. 1.529-6.853,p=0.002), miraa (OR=1.053; C.I. 1.024-1.104, p=0.001) and tobacco use (OR=1.08; C.I. = 1.028-1.134, 0.002). Schizophenia was not significantly associated with Alcohol use (OR= 1.027, C.I. 0.995-1.060, p=0.105) and Cannabis (OR=1.053; C.I. 0.980-1.132, p=0.16). Male gender (A.O.R. = 9.27; C.I 3.45-24.86, p=0.00001), family history of substance use disorder (A.O.R. = 0.32; C.I 0.12-0.85, p=0.021), secondary school education (A.O.R. =4.51; C.I. 1.48-13.76, p=0.008) are found to be strong predictors of substance use.