Patterns of addiction among Rwandan patients referred for mental health services in Rwanda

Abstract

Introduction This study investigated the patterns of addiction among Rwandan patients referred for mental health services in Rwanda. The study aimed at documenting the epidemiological profile of patients with addiction and co-occurring disorders from rural and urban areas that are referred for mental health services in Rwanda. The study was conducted on 315 inpatients of Caraes Ndera Neuropsychiatric Hospital and its 2 branches; Centre Psychotherapeutique Icyizere, CARAES Butare and Isange Rehabilitation Center. Methods The research used data collected using the Addiction Severity Index (ASI). The raw data was in Excel documents and were transferred to the software STATA 13 to facilitate the data analysis. Descriptive statistics were performed using percentages and chi-square test with significant P-values ≤ 0.05 to assess the association between variables. The logistic regression analysis has been used for determining risks factors associated to addiction severity. Results The results revealed that men are more likely to have a severe addiction compared to female and significant association between depression and addiction severity among patients. The results revealed also that the psychotropic medicines are associated with the severity of addiction and the heroin use among other substance was statistically significant. Conclusion: the prevention measures of identified risk factors should be strengthened at community level.