Health seeking behavior, perceived social support and treatment compliance: experiences of youths diagnosed with substance use disorder in Lango sub region

Abstract

Background: Substance abuse continues to be one of the leading causes of disability and premature mortality among youths. However, many substance users may not perceive it as a problem and therefore are reluctant to seek and follow through the interventions to address it. Aim: This study therefore examined the health seeking behavior, perceived social support and treatment compliance among youths diagnosed with substance use disorder in Lango sub region. Methods: An explanatory mixed method study design was employed with 84 participants for the quantitative phase 10 of whom were interviewed for the qualitative phase. The quantitative data was collected using standardized questionnaires and analyzed using bivariate correlation analysis to test the hypothesis whereas thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data. Results: The level of perceived social support and treatment compliance was very low among the participants. Significant relationships were found between health seeking behavior and perceived social support; perceived social support and treatment compliance. Qualitative findings show very poor health seeking behavior for substance use disorder as evidenced by patients involuntarily being taken to the health facility. Conclusion: The study therefore concludes that there is poor health seeking behavior, low perceived social support and treatment compliance among youths diagnosed with SUDs in Lango due mainly to lack of insight of symptoms and low perceived need for treatment. There is therefore need for multipronged approaches to increased awareness on SUDs and treatment in Lango sub-region.