Prevalence and Pattern of Drug Abuse among Patients Admitted to Tanka Tanka Psychiatric Hospital in the Gambia
Lucky E Umukoro Onofa, Momodou S Jallow, Camara Bakary, Bakary Touray, Mam Jarra Marega, Kulaymata Mamburay, Olanrewaju Eniade, Mariama Gassama, Nano Kora, Jarra Balajo Fofana, Goddard George, Ebrima Saidy Jah, Ramatoulie Jallow, Anna Jatta, Beverly Jordan, Oluwabusola J Adebesin, Fanta Jabbie, Baboucarr Samateh.
Background: Psychoactive substance abuse constitutes social problems and it is a major public health concern all over the world. There is a global surge in the menace of drug abuse. Drug abuse has been reported as co-morbid condition among patients with mental disorders. In Sub-Saharan Africa, high rates of substance use have been reported among persons presenting for psychiatric evaluation in mental health facilities. There is rarity of studies in this subject matter at the psychiatric facility in the Gambia. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and pattern of psychoactive substance use among patients admitted to Tanka Tanka Psychiatric Hospital in the Gambia.
Methodology: The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design to elicit information on drug abuse among in-patients at Tanka Tanka Psychiatric Hospital. After Ethical approval from HREC of EFSTH, 116 patients who consented and satisfied the inclusions criteria were recruited to complete Questionnaire containing sections on Socio-demographic, Drug Abuse and Clinical Profile. Data were analyzed using Stata MP 17. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic characteristics, patterns of drug use, clinical profiles, physical and behavioral presentations, and other relevant variables. Frequencies and percentages were used to describe categorical variables, while means and standard deviations (SD) were computed for continuous variables.
Results: Out of the 116 patients that participated in the study, 69.8% were males. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 35(10.7) years. Majority (42%) were unemployed while 52.6% were single. Most of the patients (70,7%) initiated drug use within 15-19 years of age. Lifetime prevalence of any drug use was 100%. Substance use was predominantly a male affair with proportion of male users over twice greater than for females. Among current active users, tobacco was the highest (94.0%), followed by cannabis (61.2%), kush (22.4%) and alcohol (20,7%). Substance induced psychosis (71.6%) was the predominant diagnosis and the most common physical and behavioural signs were self-neglect (68.1%) and aggression (63.8%) respectively. Almost 80% of the patients had multiple admissions into the psychiatric facility.
Conclusion: This study has shown a very high prevalence rate of substance use among patients presenting at the Tanka Tanka psychiatric hospital with a high rate of substance induced psychiatric illness. Routine screening for substance use should be part of mental health service package for patients presenting at the facility. Establishment of drug abuse rehabilitation services in the facility and other locations in the Gambia should be accorded priority for effective tackling of the menace of drug abuse through collaboration of all relevant stakeholders.
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