Psychosocial and Demographic Variables as Correlates of Patterns of Substance Abuse among in-Patients in Two Selected Neuro-Psychiatric Hospitals in South-West, Nigeria

Aims: The study main objective is to access psychosocial and demographic variables as correlates of patterns of psychoactive substance abuse among patients admitted to drug treatment centers in two federal mental health institutions in Nigeria.

Study Design: Descriptive correlational research design.

Place and Duration of Study: Neuropsychiatric Hospital (Aro & Lantoro Annex) Abeokuta and Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos in February 2018.

Methodology: The sample size for this study comprises 224 patients admitted for treatment due to psychoactive substance abuse at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital (Aro & Lantoro Annex) Abeokuta and Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos. A self-developed, pre-tested semi structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data on psychosocial and demographic variables that may explain the patterns of substance abuse among. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at 0.05 level of significance.

Results: The study found that social, psychological and demographic factors have significant influence on psychoactive substance use (F (6, 213) =23.214, P=0.07), Adj R2 = .158 (F (3, 216) =33.193, P=0.000), Adj R2 = .104, (F (6, 213) =10.101, P=0.031), Adj R2 = .062 respectively. Social factors of accessibility, family usage, affordability and peer usage exerted positive impact on psychoactive substance use β = .81, P = 000, β =.127, P = .037, β = .118, P = 0.011 and β = .139, P = .009 respectively. The psychological factors of perception, impulsivity and self- gratification exerted positive and significant influence on psychoactive substance use β = .148, P = 047, β =.197, P = .000 and β = .107, P = 0.03 respectively. Demographic factors age (x2 = 21.347, P = .000); gender (x2 = 5.432, P = .013); marital status (x2 = 2.707, P = .034) and religion is (x2 = 4.119, P = .009) exerted significant effect on pattern of substance abuse.

Conclusion: The study concluded that social, psychological and demographic variables are the main correlates of psychoactive substance abuse among patients admitted and treated in sampled Neuropsychiatric Hospitals.