Substance use disorder and associated factors at an opioid de-addiction clinic in Western Kenya

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Opioid substitution therapy with methadone is at the heart of substance use disorder intervention at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital's medication-assisted therapy (MAT) clinic (JOOTRH). However, little is known about the factors linked to substance use disorders and the substances used by clinic patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors associated with substance use disorders and the substances used by MAT-JOOTRH clinic patients. METHODS: Between November 2018 and May 2019, data from 61 patients were collected using questionnaires and summarised using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Participants were mostly men (92%), between the ages of 31 and 40 (51%), married (48%), employed (71%), living with their nuclear family (49%), and had at least a primary school education (49%). Their average age was 32, 87% had used drugs for more than ten years, and 52% lived in an informal settlement. Cannabis (89%) and heroin (86.9%) were the most commonly used drugs. The main factors associated with first-time substance use were peer pressure (67%), role models (66%), and the environment (46%). The main reasons for regular substance use were withdrawal symptoms (75%), enjoyment (71%), peer pressure (69%), and role models (66%). CONCLUSIONS: According to these findings, peer pressure and withdrawal symptoms may be the primary triggers of substance use disorders in the study area. Young male members of society, particularly those from informal settlements, appear to be the most vulnerable to substance use disorder. Future substance use disorder interventions in the study area should target young male members of society from informal settlements.