Prevelance of alcohol & substance use disorders among HIV infected youth aged between 15-25 yrs old at Mbagathi hospital

Abstract

Introduction: In Sub-Saharan Africa, the numbers of HIV infected youth are estimated to be high. In Kenya particularly, youth aged 15 years to 24 years have been identified as vulnerable to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (CIA, 2013). One of the key drivers of HIV infection among the youth is alcohol and substance use and their use and abuse being prevalent among youth aged between 15 and 25 years in Kenya and HIV infection rates among the same age group being a cause of concern. The study focused on the prevalence of alcohol and substance use disorders among HIV infected youth aged between 15 to 25 years old. Specific Objectives: The specific objectives were to assess the prevalence of alcohol and substance use among HIV infected youth aged between 15-25 years old and to determine the association between alcohol, substance use and the social demographic factors. Study Site: The study was conducted at the Mbagathi District Hospital Comprehensive care centre [CCC] Research Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study Research Instruments: The Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10) and The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) were used to determine the prevalence of alcohol and substance use disorders. A researcher designed questionnaire was also used for the study to determine socio-demographic factors Sample Size Determination: Yamane‟s sample size determination formula (Yamane T. , 1967.), was used to determine the number of respondents that was needed to participate in the study which was 178. Data Management & Analysis: Data collected from the respondents was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 18.The frequencies and correlations were presented in tables. Results: The study revealed that the prevalence of alcohol use was 33% and the prevalence of substance use disorders was 46%. The study also revealed that indeed there was a highly significant association between socio-demographic factors and the prevalence of alcohol use disorders but there was no association between socio-demographics and substance use disorders. However; there was a slight association between the socio-demographics and combined alcohol and substance use disorders. Conclusion: As indicated; the study established that there was prevalence of alcohol use disorders, substance use disorders and combined alcohol and substance use disorders and this is very alarming considering the fact that the respondents or patients are supposedly on HAART and therefore not supposed to abuse alcohol or substances. Generally; the study results are very significant because they mean that many of the respondents could possibly be also suffering from poor treatment outcomes.