Prevalence and Factors Associated with Opioid use Disorder Among Adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease in Mulago Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Opioid use disorder (OUD) among adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) increases their risk of complications such as infections and stroke. A past or current mental illness like depression and anxiety have been recorded as risk factors for OUD. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with opioid use disorder among adolescents with SCD at Mulago Hospital in Uganda. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescents aged 10-19 years attending the SCD Clinic at Mulago Hospital. A systematic random sampling technique was applied and we drew 384 participants that were invited that provided consent and assent. Trained nurse research assistants administered the tools which were; a sociodemographic questionnaire, the WHO Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test- Young (ASSIST-Y), the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI II), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaires to collect data. Data was entered in EpiInfo and analysed in STATA 15. Results: The prevalence of opioid use disorder was 5.3%. The significant risk factor was increasing depressive score (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.22), while living with a family (OR: 0.01; 95% CI: 0.0004, 0.27) was protective against opioid use disorders. Conclusion: There was a significant problem of Opioid Use Disorder among adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease. The risk factor was increasing depressive score while living with family was a protective factor. There is therefore need to integrate screening of OUD and mental illness like depression among adolescents with SCD and to emphasize the importance of family support in their care.