Prevalence of relapse of alcohol use disorder and the association with self-efficacy and perceived social support in Butabika Hospital

Abstract

Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a problem globally and Uganda has one of the highest per capita alcohol consumption rates in sub-Saharan Africa. Relapse is a distressing aspect in the treatment of AUD and it is mediated by self-efficacy and perceived social support besides other psychosocial factors. In Uganda, there is paucity of data regarding the prevalence of relapse of AUD and the association with self-efficacy and perceived social support, hence the need to carry out this study. Objective: To determine the prevalence of relapse of AUD and the association with self-efficacy and perceived social support among participants that received treatment for AUD at Butabika Hospital in the period between 1st/January/2016 and 31st/December/2017. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to consecutively recruit 269 participants that received treatment for AUD at Butabika Hospital in the period between 1st/01/2016 and 31st/12/2017. Participants were assessed for relapse of AUD using the SCID-5 substance use disorder section. Data was collected using a socio-demographic questionnaire, the general self-efficacy scale and the multidimensional scale for perceived social support. Data was entered in Epidata 3.0 and imported into STATA version 14 for analysis. Chi square test and logistic regression were used at bi-variable and multivariable analysis respectively to determine associations. Results: The prevalence of relapse of AUD among the 269 participants was 63.3% (170). Of those who relapsed, 98% (167) had severe AUD. Participants with a marital status of single were less likely to relapse into alcohol use than those with a marital status of; separated or divorced (OR= 6.81; 95%CI= 1.53-30.32; p-value= 0.012) and married (OR=2.86; 95% CI=1.07-7.65; p-value= 0.037). Female participants were less likely to relapse into AUD than the males (OR=0.19; 95% CI= 0.04-0.86; p-value= 0.03). Participants with a higher perceived social support (OR=0.85; 95%CI=0.81-0.9; p-value= <0.001) were less likely to relapse into AUD. Self-efficacy (OR=0.93; 95% CI=0.85-1; p-value= 0.061) was not significantly associated with relapse of AUD. Conclusion: The prevalence of relapse of AUD is high and is associated with perceived social support, marital status of; separated, divorced or married and female gender. Relapse prevention programs should emphasize the importance of social support in the management of patients with AUD. Further research to assess the relationship between relapse of AUD among married people is recommended.