Prevalence and clinical correlates of substance use amongst acute psychiatric inpatients in Gauteng, South Africa
Background: Mental disorders and substance use disorders (SUD) commonly occur together, impacting healthcare outcomes. The diagnosis of substance use is often inadequate when comorbidity is present. It is vital to understand the prevalence of substance use amongst psychiatric patients to inform both...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2020-09-01
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Series: | South African Journal of Psychiatry |
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Online Access: | https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1526 |
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author | Ani Anic Lesley J. Robertson |
author_facet | Ani Anic Lesley J. Robertson |
author_sort | Ani Anic |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Background: Mental disorders and substance use disorders (SUD) commonly occur together, impacting healthcare outcomes. The diagnosis of substance use is often inadequate when comorbidity is present. It is vital to understand the prevalence of substance use amongst psychiatric patients to inform both clinical practice and service development in South Africa.
Aim: To ascertain the prevalence and clinical correlates of SUD amongst acute psychiatric inpatients.
Setting: The setting for this study was Helen Joseph Hospital acute psychiatric ward.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted whereby consecutively admitted patients were invited to participate in a structured clinical interview utilising the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) and drug use disorders identification test (DUDIT) questionnaires. Statistical comparisons were made between those with and without SUD.
Results: Of 150 participants, 100 (67%) were identified with a SUD. Those with SUD were younger (p = 0.0010), more often male (p = 0.012), less likely to have a disability grant (p = 0.015) and more likely to be brought to hospital by police, ambulance or self than by a family member (p = 0.025). Almost half of people with bipolar disorder (47.3%) and schizophrenia (41.4%) had comorbid SUD. Twenty-three (15%) participants identified with SUD on questionnaire had been missed clinically. Only two participants were referred for inpatient substance rehabilitation on discharge.
Conclusion: Substance use disorders are highly prevalent amongst psychiatric inpatients. The AUDIT and DUDIT are potentially useful screening tools in routine clinical practice. Greater collaboration between psychiatric and substance rehabilitation services is recommended. |
first_indexed | 2024-12-10T08:24:19Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-0b91e5527924432a909324b73935d54a |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 1608-9685 2078-6786 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-12-10T08:24:19Z |
publishDate | 2020-09-01 |
publisher | AOSIS |
record_format | Article |
series | South African Journal of Psychiatry |
spelling | doaj.art-0b91e5527924432a909324b73935d54a2022-12-22T01:56:16ZengAOSISSouth African Journal of Psychiatry1608-96852078-67862020-09-01260e1e810.4102/sajpsychiatry.v26i0.1526505Prevalence and clinical correlates of substance use amongst acute psychiatric inpatients in Gauteng, South AfricaAni Anic0Lesley J. Robertson1Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; and, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, JohannesburgDepartment of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Sedibeng District Health Services, VanderbijlparkBackground: Mental disorders and substance use disorders (SUD) commonly occur together, impacting healthcare outcomes. The diagnosis of substance use is often inadequate when comorbidity is present. It is vital to understand the prevalence of substance use amongst psychiatric patients to inform both clinical practice and service development in South Africa. Aim: To ascertain the prevalence and clinical correlates of SUD amongst acute psychiatric inpatients. Setting: The setting for this study was Helen Joseph Hospital acute psychiatric ward. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted whereby consecutively admitted patients were invited to participate in a structured clinical interview utilising the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) and drug use disorders identification test (DUDIT) questionnaires. Statistical comparisons were made between those with and without SUD. Results: Of 150 participants, 100 (67%) were identified with a SUD. Those with SUD were younger (p = 0.0010), more often male (p = 0.012), less likely to have a disability grant (p = 0.015) and more likely to be brought to hospital by police, ambulance or self than by a family member (p = 0.025). Almost half of people with bipolar disorder (47.3%) and schizophrenia (41.4%) had comorbid SUD. Twenty-three (15%) participants identified with SUD on questionnaire had been missed clinically. Only two participants were referred for inpatient substance rehabilitation on discharge. Conclusion: Substance use disorders are highly prevalent amongst psychiatric inpatients. The AUDIT and DUDIT are potentially useful screening tools in routine clinical practice. Greater collaboration between psychiatric and substance rehabilitation services is recommended.https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1526substance useauditdudithelen joseph hospitalmental disorders |
spellingShingle | Ani Anic Lesley J. Robertson Prevalence and clinical correlates of substance use amongst acute psychiatric inpatients in Gauteng, South Africa South African Journal of Psychiatry substance use audit dudit helen joseph hospital mental disorders |
title | Prevalence and clinical correlates of substance use amongst acute psychiatric inpatients in Gauteng, South Africa |
title_full | Prevalence and clinical correlates of substance use amongst acute psychiatric inpatients in Gauteng, South Africa |
title_fullStr | Prevalence and clinical correlates of substance use amongst acute psychiatric inpatients in Gauteng, South Africa |
title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence and clinical correlates of substance use amongst acute psychiatric inpatients in Gauteng, South Africa |
title_short | Prevalence and clinical correlates of substance use amongst acute psychiatric inpatients in Gauteng, South Africa |
title_sort | prevalence and clinical correlates of substance use amongst acute psychiatric inpatients in gauteng south africa |
topic | substance use audit dudit helen joseph hospital mental disorders |
url | https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1526 |
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