The prevalence of alcohol use disorders at Luthando neuropsychiatric HIV clinic
Date
2016
Authors
Sibandze, Mlinganisi Pius
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Abstract
Background: The prevalence of Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD) is high in people with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) and in people infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of alcohol use disorders in patients with comorbid HIV and SMI attending Luthando Neuropsychiatric HIV clinic at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH).
Methods: A retrospective record review was conducted to estimate the prevalence of alcohol use disorders (AUD). The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test – self report (AUDIT) was used to estimate the prevalence of AUD. Descriptive analysis was used for categorical data. The χ2 and the Fisher exact tests were employed to evaluate the relationship between the demographic and clinical variables. The strength of the associations was measured by Cramer’s V and the phi coefficient respectively.
Results: A convenient sample of 111 patients participated in the study. The prevalence of AUD was 13.5% (95% CI 7.1 – 19.9%). Of the total participants, 28.8% (95% CI 20.4 – 37.2%) consumed alcohol at a hazardous level, 18.9% (95% CI 11.6 – 26.2%) had incipient alcohol dependence and 20.7% (95% CI 13.2 – 28.2%) had alcohol related harm. There was a significant association between employment status and the categorized AUDIT scores. There was a significant association between viral load suppression and each of the categorized AUDIT scores. There was a significant, association between history of substance abuse and each of the categorized AUDIT scores.
Conclusion: The prevalence of AUD is high among patients attending Luthando Neuropsychiatric HIV clinic. Patients with SMI and HIV should be screened for AUD and the pattern of alcohol consumption should also be assessed as it can negatively affect clinical outcomes.
Description
A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Medicine in the branch of Psychiatry.
Johannesburg, 2016