Psychoactive Substance Use Related Psychological Problems at Two Selected Governmental Hospitals in Addis Ababa
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Date
2009-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The general objective of this study was to explore psychoactive substance use
related psychological problems at two selected governmental hospitals in Addis
Ababa. The study also aimed at finding if there are duration of use, treatment
intensity and number of substance use differences in exposure to the
psychological problems (depression, anxiety and anger symptoms). Investigation
of the psychological services in the two hospitals was also another objective. To
meet these objectives, 68 substance users, 5 caregivers/parents and 5 health
professionals were purposively selected and included int he sample. Three scales
measuring the psychological problems (depressi n, anxiety and anger
symptoms) and two semi - structured interviews were u ed as instruments.
Quantitative and qualitative analyses were used to a alyze the data obtained
through the scales and interviews. Percentage results showed that 69.2% of
substance users showed above average level of depression while 58.8% of
substance users showed moderate and severe level of anger symptom. Above
moderate anxiety symptom was exhibited in only 25% of substance users'
participants. Results from the analysis of variance indicated that there were no
statistically significant duration of use and number of substance use differences
in experiencing depression, anxiety and anger symptom levels. Only treatment
intensity (inpatient and outpatient substance users) in experiencing depression
were statistically significant variation but in relation to anxiety and anger were
not statistically significant. The main and interaction effects of the three - way
ANOVA, the treatment intensity (main effect) is found to bring statistically
significant mean differences in depression level and the interaction effects
(duration of use and number of substance use) indicated statistically significant
differences in anger symptom levels. But the rest main and interaction effects of
the three - way ANOVA came up with statistically non significant results. Interview
results with caregivers/parents and health professionals showed the availability of
psychological /counseling services in the two hospitals. Recommendations and
implications of the study are indicated
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Keywords
Governmental;Hospitals