Monitoring the prevalence of methamphetamine-related presentations at psychiatric hospitals in Cape Town, South Africa.
Afr J Psychiatry (Johannesbg)
; 16(1): 45-9, 2013 Jan.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23417636
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to determine a demographic profile of methamphetamine (MA)-related admissions to major psychiatric services in Cape Town, obtain a substance use profile from admitted patients, a profile of common MA-related symptoms encountered during the assessment of the patients presenting with MA-related problems, and a brief profile of the psychiatric diagnoses made.METHOD:
Staff in six psychiatric hospitals or wards in Cape Town collected data on methamphetamine related admissions between July and December 2008 using a one-page record review form. The data collection form consisted of the patient's demographic details, presenting symptoms, previous admission details, current MA and other substance use information, and DSM-IV diagnosis.RESULTS:
A total of 235 forms were completed. Most patients were male (69%) and the mean age was 25 years. The most common presenting symptoms were aggressive behaviour (74%), followed by delusions (59%) and hallucinations (57%). Males were two times more likely to present with aggression as compared to females, while females were significantly more likely to present with depressed mood or euphoric/elevated mood. The majority of patients had substance-induced psychotic disorder (41%), followed by schizophrenia (31%). Twelve percent (12%) had bipolar mood disorder.CONCLUSION:
MA-related psychiatric admissions pose serious challenges to all health services dealing with these patients. Further training and treatment protocol development and distribution is indicated.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Patient Admission
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Urban Population
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Amphetamine-Related Disorders
/
Developing Countries
/
Central Nervous System Stimulants
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Methamphetamine
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Guideline
/
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Aspects:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limits:
Adolescent
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Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
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Male
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
Language:
En
Journal:
Afr J Psychiatry (Johannesbg)
Journal subject:
PSIQUIATRIA
Year:
2013
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Sudáfrica