Abstract:

Background: Psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions are reported to be increased among people abusing different illicit substances like cannabis and alcohol. So the aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of psychotic symptoms in Mwanza region and to determine various socio demographic characteristic associated with psychotic symptoms among substances users.

Methods: This was a cross sectional study that involved a total of 173 substance users from two areas in Mwanza region, 30 participants from Bugando Medical Centre and 143 participants from Sekou Toure Referral Hospital, Psychotic symptoms were screened by using community assessment of psychic experience (CAPE) questionnaire tool.

Results: The total prevalence of psychotic symptoms was 40% and the prevalence for each symptom was as follow, 35.8% for hallucinations, 23.1% for negative symptoms and 7.5% for delusions. Cannabis was the most abused substance and nearly all participants reported to abuse more than one substance at once. Low level education, being single and unemployment had a risk of deloping psychotic symptoms though the association was not significant.

Conclusion: The findings from this study notify that there is a heightened risk of developing psychotic symptoms among substance users as the prevalence is high. Substances like cannabis and alcohol are associated with a greater risk of developing psychotic symptoms. Some factors such as being single, low level of education, unemployment and longtime of use of a particular substance contributes more to the development of psychotic symptoms.