Opioid Addiction in Patients Attending Methadone Clinic at a National Teaching and Referral Hospital: Understanding Predisposing Factors and Intervention Strategies
Joan Abe Keji, Linus Makokha Wafula, David Olpengs, Gregory Ondieki, Godfrey Mayoka
Abstract
Drug addiction remains a major socioeconomic and health challenge globally with about 33% of addiction cases involving opioids. This study was conducted to address existing knowledge gaps about the profile of patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) in Kenya and to understand the coping mechanisms and strategies in dealing with OUD. We used a self-administered questionnaire to collect information among 88 patients attending a methadone assisted therapy clinic at the national teaching and referral psychiatric hospital in Nairobi. Most patients were male (71%), had attained secondary education and were in marriage (46%). The first opioid encounter occurred frequently at the age of 18-25 (58%), involved use of heroin (53%) and codeine (41%) and occurred at a party (50%) or at school (26%). Concern from family and friends (28%) and overdose with near-death experience (26%) compelled most patients to seek treatment. This study provides critical information on the profile of patients and patterns of drug abuse in Kenya, enlightening on the various coping mechanisms employed by patients to overcome the condition. The findings are invaluable in addressing the cues to opioid use in social units to enhance the odds of success in tackling this growing menace.
Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.15640/ijhs.v11n2a14
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