Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

School

Public Health

Advisor

John Oswald

Abstract

In Nigeria, about 14.3 million people use drugs without physician prescription and approximately 30% of Nigerians suffer from mental illness, some of which is due to substance abuse. This study examined the associations between (a) socio-demographic factors and substance abuse among users with mental health issues in Ogun State Nigeria, (b) clinical variables and substance abuse among users with mental health issues, (c) negative life events and substance abuse among users with mental health issues, and (d) social supports and substance abuse among users with mental health issues. This study theoretical framework was based on the definition of mental health according to American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, DSM-5. A convenient purposive non-probability sampling of patients’ data was obtained from clinical case files of 458 patients receiving treatment at Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Aro, Abeokuta Ogun State Nigeria were used. The binary logistic regression showed that there were significant association between socio-demographic variables, clinical variables, negative life events and substance abuse. Substance abuse among users with mental health issues was associated with gender, marital status, education, employment, and type of housing; schizophrenia, mood disorder, anxiety disorder, and delusion; history of violence and history of suicide attempt. The adverse effects of substance abuse among users with mental health issues could be seen on the family system, individual members, and on the society. The study findings may be used by mental health professionals to better serve substance abusers leading to positive social change.

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