PLoS ONE (Jan 2019)

The characteristics and patterns of utilization of healthcare services among Omanis with substance use disorders attending therapy for cessation.

  • Nabila Al Wahaibi,
  • Anwaar Al Lawati,
  • Falaah Al Ruqeishy,
  • Abdulla Al Khatri,
  • Yahya Al-Farsi,
  • Tahira M A Juma,
  • Fatma Al Hinai,
  • Nasser Al-Sibani,
  • Sangeetha Mahadevan,
  • Samir Al-Adawi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0210532
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 1
p. e0210532

Abstract

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BACKGROUND:It is indicated that Oman is witnessing an increase in issues pertinent to alcohol and psychoactive substance use. AIM:The aim of this study was to identify the characteristics of Omanis with substance use disorder attending a specialized hospital in Oman and the pattern of their utilization of healthcare services. A related aim was to ascertain the age group most vulnerable to alcohol and substance use in Oman. METHOD:A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care center specialized for treatment of those engaging in substance use in Oman. The participants in the study were selected from a convenience sample among patients seeking consultation at the center for alcohol and substance use. A six-part questionnaire was designed to obtain information regarding socio-demographic background, clinical history, healthcare utilization and perceived hurdles to access. Chi-square analyses were used to evaluate the significance of differences among categorical data. Logistic regression modelling was used to obtain measures of association after adjusting for confounding factors. RESULTS:Among the patients (n = 293) seeking cessation therapy, 99% were male and less than 30 years of age. Peer influences on the initiation of substance use were significant. Most patients had a history of polysubstance use, including intravenous substance use. Cannabis and alcohol were the first substances consumed by most patients and Hepatitis C and psychiatric disorders were found to be the most common co-morbidities. The participants that reported use of cannabis and benzodiazepines were more likely to perceive "improvement" upon receiving treatment. CONCLUSION:This study indicated that males below 30 years of age with a history of polysubstance use were likely to attend a hospital specialized in treating substance use disorder in Oman. This study identified information regarding socio-demographic background, risk factors and perceived hurdles to healthcare that could serve as groundwork for further studies conducted on newly emerging issues of substance use in Oman.