Prevalence and correlates of alcohol use disorders among bipolar patients at Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa (Ethiopia): A cross-sectional institution based study

At this time, alcohol use is increasing in African countries. The prevalence of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) remains unknown in patients with psychiatric disorders. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of AUDs among individuals with bipolar disorder in the outpatient department at Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital. An institution-based cross sectional study was conducted among 412 bipolar patients attending the outpatient department at Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital from May – July 2015.Participants were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect socio-demographic and clinical data. Alcohol use disorder was measured using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-10). Binary logistic regression analysis was performed. The prevalence of alcohol use disorder was found to be 24.5%. Those affected were predominantly female (58.5%). Being18-29 years of age(AOR=3.86, 95% CI: 1.34, 11.29), being 30-44 years of age (AOR=4.99, 95%CI: 1.85, 13.46), being unable to read and write (AOR=5.58, 95%CI: 2.026, 13.650), having a secondary education (AOR=3.198, 95%CI: 1.149, 8.906), being a farmer (AOR=4.54, 95%CI: 1.67, 12.32), being employed by the government (AOR=3.53, 95%CI: 1.36, 4.15), being a day labourer (AOR=3.5, 95%CI: 1.14, 10.77), use of other substances during past 12 months (AOR=2.06, 95%CI: 1.06, 3.99), having a family history of alcohol use (AOR=2.18, 95%CI: 1.29, 3.68), having discontinued medication (AOR=2.78, 95%CI: 1.52, 5.07), having suicidal thoughts (AOR=4.56, 95%CI: 2.43, 8.54), and having attempted suicide (AOR=5.67, 95%CI: 3.27, 9.81) were statistically significant to alcohol use disorder using multivariate logistic analysis. The prevalence of co-morbid alcohol use disorder was high. This finding suggests that screening for risky alcohol use should be integrated into routine hospital outpatient care. Further, preventive measures against alcohol use disorder should be established.