University Library
  • Login
A gateway to Melbourne's research publications
Minerva Access is the University's Institutional Repository. It aims to collect, preserve, and showcase the intellectual output of staff and students of the University of Melbourne for a global audience.
View Item 
  • Minerva Access
  • Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences
  • Melbourne Medical School
  • Rural Clinical School
  • Rural Clinical School - Research Publications
  • View Item
  • Minerva Access
  • Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences
  • Melbourne Medical School
  • Rural Clinical School
  • Rural Clinical School - Research Publications
  • View Item
JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Illicit drug use and violence in acute psychosis among acute adult admissions at a South African psychiatric hospital

    Thumbnail
    Download
    Published version (279.4Kb)

    Citations
    Scopus
    Web of Science
    Altmetric
    4
    3
    Author
    Wicomb, R; Jacobs, L; Ebrahim, N; Rensburg, M; Macharia, M
    Date
    2018-03-01
    Source Title
    African Health Sciences
    Publisher
    MAKERERE UNIV, FAC MED
    University of Melbourne Author/s
    Macharia, David
    Affiliation
    Rural Clinical School
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Document Type
    Journal Article
    Citations
    Wicomb, R., Jacobs, L., Ebrahim, N., Rensburg, M. & Macharia, M. (2018). Illicit drug use and violence in acute psychosis among acute adult admissions at a South African psychiatric hospital. AFRICAN HEALTH SCIENCES, 18 (1), pp.132-136. https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v18i1.17.
    Access Status
    Open Access
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/11343/255196
    DOI
    10.4314/ahs.v18i1.17
    Abstract
    Background and objective: The prevalence of mental illness and illicit substance use has increased markedly in South Africa's Western Cape Province, over the last 2 decades; potentially increasing demand for psychiatric care. This paper describes the demographic and substance use profile of patients admitted to Lentegeur (LGH), the largest of the four psychiatric hospitals in the Province. Methods: Medical records, patient interviews and other clinical notes were used to collect data on demographics, illicit substance use, violent behaviour and utilization of rehabilitative services for patients (n=535) admitted to LGH between 1 August 2012 and 31 January 2013. Results: Majority of admissions were male (65.6%) and younger (69.8% < 35 years) compared to females (62.6% >35 years). Overall, 255 (49%) used an illicit substance, (24% females and 63% males). Majority of substance users were youth (18-35 years) in both males (83.1%) and females (73.8%). Cannabis and methamphetamine were the most popular drugs in males (56.3% and 34.9%) and females (17.9% and 16.2%) with the highest rates being among the youth. Violence was common among both men (60.7%) and women (40.8%); among the violent, 67% of males and 35.6% of female used substances. Only 5.5% of drug users utilized formal drug rehabilitation services. Conclusion: Substance use and violence were high, yet only a small proportion of the patients utilised available drug rehabilitation services. This may have implications on psychotic relapses, morbidity and subsequent pressure on financial resources within the health care system. Efforts are needed to maximise utilisation of existing rehabilitative resources for these patients.

    Export Reference in RIS Format     

    Endnote

    • Click on "Export Reference in RIS Format" and choose "open with... Endnote".

    Refworks

    • Click on "Export Reference in RIS Format". Login to Refworks, go to References => Import References


    Collections
    • Minerva Elements Records [53102]
    • Rural Clinical School - Research Publications [147]
    Minerva AccessDepositing Your Work (for University of Melbourne Staff and Students)NewsFAQs

    BrowseCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects
    My AccountLoginRegister
    StatisticsMost Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors