Substance use among employees of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Substance use is an unhealthy behavior that predisposes healthcare workers to health, social and work-related problems. Few studies conducted in Lowand Middle-Income Countries have investigated the burden of substance use among healthcare workers, and particularly among hospital employees. Knowledge on the extent of the problem and its associated factors is important in establishing interventions especially in Low- and Middle-Income countries where human resource for health is scarce. This study therefore intends to bridge an existing gap in knowledge. Broad objective: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with substance use among employees of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which multistage stratified sampling technique was used to stratify the sampling frame into cadre, work station and sex, and proportionate random sampling technique was used to identify the respondents. The World Health Organization‘s Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) questionnaire was administered to 374 employees of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), in Eldoret, Kenya, between January and June 2020. A total of 330 employees responded. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, while inferential statistical methods were used to assess for associations. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 37 years (SD +/-7.8). Majority were female (62.4%). 44.8% were in the age category of 30-39 years. The prevalence of lifetime use was 42.42% for alcohol, 7.88% for tobacco, 5.15% for cannabis, 3.94% for sedatives, 3.33% for Cocaine, 2.12% for hallucinogens, 1.82% for Opioids, 0.91% for Amphetamines, and 0.3% for inhalants. Alcohol (29.05%) and tobacco (6.73%) were the most commonly used substances in the past three months. Only two participants (0.61%) reported lifetime use of injection drugs. Majority of the respondents fell in the low and moderate risk categories of current substance users. Lifetime use of alcohol was significantly associated with being male (p=<0.001), Being unmarried (p=0.024), Use of substances by co-workers (p=<0.001) and ease in availability of substances at the workplace (p=0.039). Lifetime use of tobacco was significantly associated with being male (p=<0.001), years of work experience (p=0.004) and use of substances by coworkers (p=0.042). Conclusion: The prevalence of lifetime and current use of substances among hospital employees was high especially for alcohol and tobacco. Being male and having a co- worker who was using substances were common predictors of substance use. Recommendations: Based on the findings, we recommend regular screening of MTRH employees for alcohol, tobacco and other substance use. We further recommend that, interventions targeting groups at risk be implemented and strict surveillance be done to ensure that substances are not easily accessible within the workplace at MTRH.