Spectrum of substance use precipitating rehabilitative services among adult patients in the university of Port Harcourt teaching hospital

Abstract

Background: World Health Organization ranks substance abuse as one of the top twenty health risk factors. It poses a seriouspublic health crisis with a significant burden for affected individuals, families and health systems. This study aimed to identifythe spectrum and pattern of substance use among patients receiving rehabilitative services. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional design involving 190 patients receiving rehabilitative care for substance use in theUniversity of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. The Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), avalidated and reliable tool was employed to obtain data on substance use. Statistical analyses were performed at P<0.05. Results: The male to female ratio was 4:1. A higher proportion of the patients were within 18-35years category (81.6%; n=155).The commonly used substances were alcohol (90.5%; n=172), cannabis/marijuana (43.7%; n=83), prescription opioids (28.9%;n=55). cigarette (25.8%; n=49), and street opioids (15.8%; n=30). The prevalence of poly substance use was 68.4%(n=130).Age(p=0.033) and sex (being male) (p=0.002) were predictors for number of substances used. Conclusion: Almost all the patients receiving drug rehabilitative service used alcohol, and approximately 7 in 10 used more thanone substance. The need to inculcate harm reduction in the management protocol is therefore paramount. Keywords: Substance use; alcohol; cannabis; substance use; rehabilitative care.