Factors Influencing Substance Abuse Amongst Health Care Professionals In Kampala, Uganda.

Abstract

Introduction: Substance Abuse has become a subtle yet growing trend amongst Health Care Professionals and thus the increases the risk of mental illness, suicide attempts through self-poisoning, health care malpractices, and ultimately pre-mature mortality rates among Health Care Professionals. Unfortunately, in developing countries, barely any substantial research targeting the well-being of Health Care Professionals in relation to substance abuse has been carried out, and yet this is a crucial group of individuals in society. This cross-sectional research study addressed the factors associated to substance abuse amongst Health Care Professionals, the prevalence as well as Health Care Professionals’ perceptions toward Substance Abuse in Kampala, Uganda.

Methodology: Data was collected from 380 respondents of the study directly using self- administered approaches and a pretested structured questionnaire adapted from World Health Organization (WHO) Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST Tool) version 3 specifically screening for substance abuse. Other factors such as Socio-Demographic factors, Occupational-related factors, and perception of Health Care Professionals towards Substance Abuse were measured. Amongst the intended 383 respondents in this study, 380 complete references were analysed. The relevant bivariate, binary logistics regression and multivariate analysis was run using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS)-Version23.

Results: The prevalence for Substance Abuse amongst Health Care Professionals in Kampala, Uganda was 4%. After controlling for Monthly Income, Highest level of Education and Work- related Stress Coping mechanisms, it was evident that there was an association between age and Nationality, in relation to Substance Abuse. Older Adults were 5times more likely to becoming abuse substances compared to Younger Adults (AOR=5.014 95% CI= 1.855 – 13.552). Furthermore, it was found that participants who were Non-Ugandans were less likely to abuse Substances (AOR = 0.159, 95% CI – 0.030- 0.846) compared to Ugandan Health Care Professionals.

Conclusion: Based on our findings, 4 out of every 100 Health Care Workers are susceptible to substance abuse; specifically the Ugandan Health Care Professionals who are older adults (above the age of 35years), are at a high risk of substance abuse. Moreover, considering the fact that alcohol was the most abused substance, strict regulations on alcohol consumption, mental health education and incorporating physical activity as a form of stress-management amongst old-aged Ugandan Health Care Professionals is paramount.