Title : Substance abuse-related hospitalisation burden and patterns: Mental unit, arua regional referral hospital, North Western Uganda
Abstract:
Introduction: Substance abuse is a growing cause of psychiatric hospitalization globally. Uganda is currently experiencing an upsurge of substance abuse most especially among the youth. This study set out to determine burden and patterns of substance abuse related psychiatric admissions in North-western Uganda; it specifically, looks at the sociodemographic and treatment outcomes.
Methodology: The study was a retrospective review of secondary data. Data for 10-35-year olds admitted to the hospital between 2011-2021 were extracted from the inpatient registers.
Results: A total of 641 records were extracted 631 were for males and 10 for females. The average annual admission frequency was 74. The minimum patient age was 13. Children and adolescents comprise 33.5% (n=197). Most patients 579 (98.5 %) were males and 1.5% (N=9) females. Most patients (62%, n= 364) originated from Arua City. Refuges and their host communities’ referrals were 16 (38%) compared to 26 (62%) non-refugee settlements. Most (96%, n=566) patients were discharged. Alcohol (n=232) 39.4% was the leading diagnosis and substance abuse (n=178) 30.2%. The average length of stay is 3 weeks.
Conclusion: There is a persistent increase of cases of psychiatric hospitalisation over the years. The emerging affected age group are children and adolescent. Substance abuse is a male dominant vice. Alcohol was the leading diagnosis. The average length of stay at facility was three weeks. There is an upsurge of referrals from refugee settlement areas requiring investigation. Further research areas include understanding the social determinants and economic burden to attract stakeholder support.
