Prevalence and Factors Associated with Opioid Use Disorder among Adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease in Mulago Hospital, Uganda

Abstract

Abstract Background Opioid use disorder among adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD) patients increases their risk of complications from sickle cell disease such as infections, stroke, acute chest syndrome, sudden death, and organ failure. This not only has a negative impact on families and communities but also to the national health system and economy. Aim This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with opioid use disorder among adolescents with SCD at Mulago Hospital Uganda. Setting This study was carried out at the Sickle Cell Clinic of Mulago Hospital, the national referral hospital in Uganda Methods Study participants were adolescents aged 10-19years. Following informed consent/ assent, a sociodemographic questionnaire, the WHO Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test- Young (ASSIST-Y), the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI II), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaires were used to collect data. Data was entered in EpiInfo and analyzed in STATA 15. Results We enrolled 384 participants and after cleaning of data, our final sample size included 381 participants. The prevalence of opioid use disorder was 5.3%. The significant risk factor was increasing depressive score OR: 1.11(95% CI: 1.01-1.22, p=0.035), while living with a family was protective against opioid use disorders OR: 0.01; (95% CI: 0.0004, 0.27, p=0.007). Conclusion: There was a significant problem of Opioid Use Disorder among adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease. There is therefore need to integrate screening of OUD and mental illness like depression among adolescents with SCD and to emphasize the importance of family support in their care.