Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Factors of Relapse among Patients with Substance Use Disorder in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Substance abuse is one of the most worrisome behaviours worldwide with its associated psychosocial problems. Relapse after treatment has remained a major challenge in the treatment of addictive behaviour. The aim of this study is to examine the current prevalence of relapse among patients with substance use disorder in Lagos and to determine the socio-demographic variables (age, marital status, education, employment status and family history of substance use) associated with relapse. The study is a cross-sectional survey of 228 (mlaes-213, females-15) in-patients and out-patients sampled from the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Yaba, Lagos. The socio-demographic questionnaire and medical records were used to collect data from the participants. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, independent t-test, and chi square. The mean age of the participants was 29.6 (SD=9.19). Most patients were inpatients (72%), males (93.4%), unemployed (65.6%), never married (54.8%) and had minimum of secondary school education (70.2%). The prevalence of relapse in this study was 51.3%. There was significant association between age, level of education and family of substance use and relapse. Participants who were younger were more likely to experience relapse. Addressing the psychological implications of the high prevalence of relapse and its related factors is critical. It is therefore appropriate for clinicians and educators to work together to develop more appropriate treatment and after-care programs that address the issue of substance use, relapse and prevention.