Psychoactive substance use in a sample of community outreach participants; prevalence, correlates and ease of incorporating care

Abstract

Background: The misuse of licit and illicit substances has continued to constitute a profound effect and harm across various societies. This study examined the nature of substance use, abuse and dependence in a community setting in Jos, Plateau State and the ease of carrying out screening, brief intervention and referral for substance use problems.Methods: Data for this study was gathered through a community-based medical outreach with a total of 1170 residence (M=36.97, SD=15.33), within the research area in participation. A cross-sectional research design was used to examine the prevalence and correlates of psychoactive substance consumption (excluding alcohol).Results: Analysis revealed that tobacco 51%, marijuana 22%, opioids 15%, sedatives 6%, and amphetamine 2%, were the current most significant substances used within the population. The ASSIST and MINI diagnostic criteria noted a significant rate of substance abuse and dependence (p<0.05) for tobacco, marijuana, amphetamine, inhalants, sedatives, hallucinogens, and opioid. Brief intervention based on the FRAMES techniques as employed in this study, was used in a total of 211 participants among whom 36 further received counseling for substance abuse and 60 were referred for specialized drug treatment therapy due to substance dependence. Gender, living environment, employment status and occupation were significant predictors of substance use across the participants. Specifically, male, participants who have stable accommodation, those with regular employment and students were found to be the group with the most significant rates of substance and substance use disorders.Conclusions: This study concludes among others, that the ASSIST, MINI and Brief Intervention were indeed effective for substance-related diagnosis in community-based medical programs and can be effectively incorporated into routine services with adequate planning, training and execution.

Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Factors Among Elderly in Ethiopia

“…3,9 Comorbidity between AUD and depression, dementia, and other physical and psychiatric illnesses is common in the elderly. 3,10 Problematic alcohol use is linked with elder victimization, [11][12][13][14][15][16] being male, poor health, social isolation, cognitive loss, falling injuries, and an elevated risk of infectious disease, using other psychoactive substances, 9,[17][18][19] unstable housing, 20,21 suicidal behaviors, 22,23 and mortality. 24,25 Problematic alcohol use can affect sleep quality in several ways.…”