Prevalence of Relapse and Associated Factors in Khat Chewers and Non-Chewers among Persons with Serious Mental Illness at Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital,Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract

People with serious mental illness using illicit drug like amphetamine exhibit poorer outcomes. But until now little is known about the impact of khat on relapse of disease in people with serious mental illness. This study assesses prevalence and factors associated with relapse between khat chewer and non chewer people with serious mental illness. This is cross sectional study involving 405 khat chewers and 400 non chewer people with serious mental illness. The study was undertaken at Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital on May, 2021. Patients were selected using systematic random sampling. The study involves interview (patient and care giver) and chart review. The study used Oslo Social Support Scale; Alcohol, Smoking, Substance Involvement Screening Test and questionnaire which include sociodemographic characteristics, illness related factors and relapse history.The study found that prevalence of relapse was higher in khat chewers than in non chewers (22% Vs 13%, p=0.001) people with serious mental illness. Additionally, the prevalence of relapse was also increased in the chewer group as the amount of khat use increased. In the khat chewer group previous hospitalization histories and presence of stressful life situation are the factor associated with relapse. On the other hand treatment interruption, sleep disorder and previous hospitalization are the factors associated with relapse in non khat chewer people with serious mental illness. The study found that khat chewing poses increased risk of relapse for the already debilitating disease. Patient care should consider khat chewing as one of the components for intervention.