| dc.description.abstract | Background: Alcohol and other substances use related problems among refugees is a global
public health concern. Although there is substantial research on the use of alcohol and other
substances among the refugees, little is known about gender and other factors that might be
associated with the use of alcohol and other substances. Our study aimed to assess the
prevalence of alcohol and substance use across gender and other specific associated factors
among urban refugees living in Mbarara city, Southwestern Uganda.
Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 343 refugees were interviewed on the use of alcohol and
other substances using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test and the Drug Abuse
Screening Test. The associated factors included, age, marital status, occupation, duration
(length of stay) in Uganda, educational levels, stigma and depression. Linear regression
analysis was used to examine the associations between the predictor and outcome variables.
Results: No significant gender difference in alcohol use was found, and the overall prevalence
of hazardous, harmful or dependent alcohol use among our sample of refugees living in
Mbarara city was 43%. There were however, statistically significant gender differences in the
use of other substances, with a significantly higher percentage of men than women
reporting intermediate, substantial, or severe substance use (45% among men, 37% among
women). Higher levels of depression and being separated from one’s spouse were
associated with higher levels of alcohol and substance use. In addition, higher age and
being male were associated with the use of substances other than alcohol.
Conclusions: Our findings indicate a high prevalence of problematic alcohol and substance
use among both male and female refugees. Clinical interventions focused on the treatment
and prevention of alcohol and substance use among the refugee communities may benefit
from focusing on depressive symptoms as well. | en_US |
