Help seeking behavior for problematic substance uses in north-West Ethiopia

Abstract

Background Substance miss use and neuro-psychiatric conditions are a growing public health challenges, but 76 to 85% of people with those disorders in low and middle-income countries did not receive treatment. The aim of this study was to see help seeking behavior and determinant factors in residents with problematic substance uses. Methods A total of 2400 participants had screened for problematic substance uses and 548 participants were found positive for problematic substance uses. Then, we had interviewed 548 participants for help seeking behavior by pre-tested modified General Help Seeking Questionnaire. Logistic regression with its corresponding p -value < 0.05; Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) have been used. Results Among five hundred and forty-eight participants with problematic substance use, only one hundred and sixty-eight (30.7%) with 95% CI (27, 35%) had sought help. Age above 35 years [AOR = .47 95% CI (.25, .90)], who had common mental disorders [AOR = 4.12, 95% CI (2.7, 6.3)], who had comorbid medical condition [AOR = 3.0, 95% CI (1.7, 5.3)], and grand-families’ history of substance use [AOR = 2.18, 95% CI (1.4, 3.4)] were significantly associated with help seeking behavior. Conclusion Help-seeking behavior was infrequent in people with problematic substance use. Advanced age was a barrier to seek help while medical illnesses, common mental disorders and history of substance use in grand families were found to enforce to seek help.

Suicidal behavior in problematic substance uses in South Gondar zone, Northwest Ethiopia: a cross-sectional survey

“…If a participant score two or more positive answers from the total of four questions was considered positive for problematic substance use. The CAGE AID has been used in previous Ethiopian studies [18,19]. A 12 months suicidal behavior was assessed by using suicidal behavior questionnaire revised (SBQ-R).…”

Prevalence and determinants of aggressive behavior among adults with problematic substance use in Northwest Ethiopia: a cross-sectional survey

“…Each item of questions was rated on a “yes” or “no” response which is valued at one point (1) and zero (0). CAGE-AID is an important tool to assess for other problematic drug uses (khat, tobacco, and cannabis) in addition to screening problematic alcohol uses in the community, and also has been utilized by previous Ethiopian studies [ 44 , 45 ].…”

The Association between Sociocultural Factors and Substance Use among Haramaya University Students

“… 1 - 3 It is associated with significant problems, such as risky sexual behavior, substance use dependencies and disorders, mental problem and disability, failure to meet primary responsibilities at work, school, or home. 1 , 4 - 6 Substance use has also been a part of social life and integrated into the culture of many communities across the world for millennia. 7 , 8…”

“…The existing literature shows that substances such as alcohol, khat, cigarette, and hashish are the most commonly used by students in Ethiopian universities. 1 , 4 , 16 , 27 , 29 , 30 These studies only identified the factors associated with any substance use without identifying or exploring the factors that contribute to the use of these individual substances. Thus, this study attempted to identify the associated risk factor for alcohol, khat, cigarette, and hashish use separately by comparing one with another.…”

“…Previous studies on substance use among young Ethiopians treated the associated risk factors as if they predicted equality in alcohol, khat, cigarette, and/or hashish use without a comparison of one with another. 1 , 4 , 16 , 27 , 29 , 30 Cognizant of such gaps and limited shreds of evidence in the study setting, the current study examined the relative effects of sociocultural factors on university students’ involvement in each type of substance use.…”