Original Research Article
Year: 2023 | Month: August | Volume: 10 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 449-454
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20230856
Prevalence of Psychoactive Substance use among Adults Ages of 20 to 40 Years at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation
Andria Veeren1,2, Pedro Pons Bravet1, Jarelle Branford2
1Psychiatric Department, Georgetown Public Hospital, Guyana,
2Institute of Health Science Education, Guyana
Corresponding Author: Andria Veeren
ABSTRACT
Background: Guyana is a developing nation with a population of under one million. Yet, 15 to 20 percent of the population suffer from some form of mental health condition. Oftentimes persons turn to psychoactive substances to deal with their mental health condition. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of psychoactive substance use, as well as, to identify psychoactive substances and risk factors among adults attending the psychiatric outpatient clinic at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC).
Methodology: A review of outpatient clinic charts belonging to patients ages 20 to 40 years, who were enrolled from January 1st to December 31st, 2019 at the psychiatric clinic (GPHC) regardless of their presenting complaint or diagnosis was carried out. Those that had records of psychoactive substance use were collected for analysis in this study. Sociodemographic characteristic and type of psychoactive substances were assessed using descriptive analysis.
Results: Of 200 patient charts reviewed, 150 (75%) had records of psychoactive substance use. The majority of psychoactive substance users were Afro-Guyanese (42.7%), Christians (71.3%) and male (76.7%) with an average age of 28 years. Additionally, most patients had only primary education (59.3%) and were not in a relationship (80.7%). Moreover, the majority patients experienced a major traumatic life event (60%) and were from dysfunctional families (13.3%). The findings also showed that 47.3% of persons with a previous psychiatric history used psychoactive substances, while 36% developed a substance-induced psychotic disorder. Cannabis (78%) was identified as the most frequently used drug, followed by alcohol (50.7%) and tobacco (45.3%).
Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of psychoactive substance use among patients enrolled in the psychiatric clinic, GPHC. With the majority of patients having known risk factors for psychoactive substance use. Also, results highlighted that some patients developed psychotic disorders post substance use. This emphasizes the need for more mental health awareness strategies targeted at adults and the need for effective drug rehabilitation programs, which can help reduce the use of psychoactive substances among adults in Guyana.
Keywords: Young Adults, Psychoactive Substance, Mental Health, Guyana
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