LIFETIME PREVALENCE AND DETERMINANTS OF RELAPSE AMONG PATIENTS WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AT ST. PAUL’S HOSPITAL MILLENNIUM MEDICAL COLLEGE

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Substance use disorder is an interlinked biopsychosocial problem that affects millions of people in Ethiopia. The chronic nature of SUD makes relapse after successful treatment fairly common in both high- and low-income nations. Despite this, little is understood regarding relapse prevalence and risk factors among patients with SUD in Ethiopia. Hence, this study aimed to assess the lifetime prevalence of relapse and associated risk factors among patients with substance-use disorders receiving treatment at Saint Paulo’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 180 patients with SUD at SPHMMC. Convenience sampling techniques were used to include the study participants. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data on the determinants of relapse. The data were analysed with descriptive statistics and logistic regression models. Multiple logistic regression analysis using SPSS version 20 were used to determine the factors associated with relapse among the patients with SUD. Results: One hundred eighty patients with SUD have participated in the study, with a response rate of 100%. The findings of this study indicated that the majority (96.1%) of the participants were males. About 42% of relapsed participants were aged between 21 and 30 years. The results showed a higher lifetime prevalence of relapse among patients with SUD (80.6%). The multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that among the risk factors for relapse, difficulty controlling craving [OR= 5.32, 95% CI (1.19 - 23.68), P=.028], easy access to substances [OR= 3.47, 95% CI (.91 - 10.56), P= .04], peer pressure [OR= 4.05.95% CI (.59 - 14.71), P=.031], and experiencing negative emotional states [OR= 5.51, 95% CI (1.49 - 20.41), P=.010] were independently associated with relapse in SUD patients. Conclusions: This study showed a high lifetime prevalence of relapse among patients with SUD. Cravings, easy access to substances, peer pressure, and experiencing negative emotional states were variables that predicted the relapse of SUD patients. Clinicians are recommended to assess those factors that are most strongly associated with relapse risk. Future studies with a prospective multicenter study design could fill a knowledge gap with regard to relapse and associated risk factors among patients with SUD. Keywords: Substance use disorder, Relapse, lifetime prevalence, Risk factors