Drugs and alcohol Use patterns among those seeking care in urban rehabilitation centres before and during early months of COVID-19 in Uganda

INTRODUCTION: There is a rise in alcohol and other drug (AOD) abuse in the country but details of the practice are scanty. This paper provides characteristics of clients in the rehabilitation centres, their AOD related practices before and early months of COVID-19, and correlates of repeat treatment. METHODS: The study was conducted in 10 rehabilitation centres in Kampala Metropolitan area. Characterization of AOD clients involved descriptive analysis while comparison of AOD related practices pre-and during COVID-19 lockdown was carried out using interrupted time series analysis. Modified Poisson regression model was used to analyse the repeat treatment. RESULTS: The clients were mostly male (85%), single (57%) and had attained secondary education (84%). Nearly a third of them (29%) were unemployed while 68% were aged between 15–34 years. The commonest substances used were alcohol (52%), cannabis (19%), cocaine (13%) and opioids (8%). The commonest sources of substances were street dealers (52%) and friends (37%). COVID-19 did not change the pattern of AOD use except for Opioids. Repeat treatment was associated with being male, seeking care in private facilities, being casual labourer/self-employed. CONCLUSION: Intervention programs should target the educated, the unemployed, young men, their friends, street drug dealers and AOD hotspots.