Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Relapse of Drug Abuse among Youths at Huye Isange Rehabilitation Center, Rwanda

Abstract

Globally, in 2016, the number of people who used drugs rose by 30 per cent than it was reported in 2009 according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime report. In Rwanda, a 2018 mental health survey revealed that about 1.6% of the youth suffer from drug and alcohol-related disorders, and that nearly 10% of rehabilitated drug users experience relapse. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of relapse on drug abuse and the risk factors associated with it among Rwandan youths at Huye Isange rehabilitation center. A logistic regression analysis showed that age group onset to drug abuse of < = 25 were 12.1 times higher risk of developing relapse with as strong association of a p-value (0.03), (OR=12.1), 95% CI [0.703-208.31]. As conclusion, the study found that at Huye Isange Rehabilitation Center the prevalence of relapse is high whereby factors such as group age onset, student by occupation, peer pressure and to cope with family/home problems were contributing to relapse of drug abuse and effort should be made while including drug abuse related courses in the curriculum for students of all levels, also enforcement in the clubs related occupation to prevent drug abuse in youth should be encouraged especially among younger people in order to decrease peer pressure that may result to drug abuse behaviors and relapse.