Abstract:

Background: The coexistence of substance use and mental illness, often referred to as dual diagnosis, presents a significant challenge in psychiatric care. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with co-occurring substance use among patients with mental illness admitted to Bugando Psychiatry Ward in Tanzania.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study design was employed, reviewing medical records of 195 patients admitted to Bugando Psychiatry Ward over a five-year period. Data on demographic characteristics, mental health diagnoses, substance use, and associated factors were systematically collected and analyzed. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, and logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with substance use.

Results: The prevalence of co-occurring substance use among the study population was 35.4%. Alcohol was the most commonly used substance (24.1%), followed by tobacco (20.5%) and cannabis (14.9%). Younger age (18-24 years) (AOR: 3.25; 95% CI: 1.13-9.39; P=0.029), male gender (AOR: 2.17; 95% CI: 1.14-4.13; P=0.018), and a family history of substance use (AOR: 3.82; 95% CI: 2.05-7.12; P<0.001) were significantly associated with substance use among the patients.

Conclusion: The study reveals a high prevalence of substance use among patients with mental illness at Bugando Psychiatry Ward, with specific demographic factors significantly associated with this co-occurrence. These findings underscore the need for routine screening and targeted interventions to manage substance use in psychiatric settings, particularly focusing on high-risk groups such as younger males and individuals with a family history of substance use.