Prevalence of comorbid mental illness, substance use disorders: A study at psychiatric department, Korle-Bu teaching hospital

Pages: 19-23
Robert Agbokah (Department of Mental Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Allied Sciences University of Cape Coast, Ghana)
Humphrey Danso Bamfo (Department of Education and Psychology, Faculty of Educational Foundations
College of Education Studies, University of Cape Coast, Ghana)
Anthony K. Nkyi (Department of Guidance and Counselling Faculty of Educational Foundations, College of Education Studies, University of Cape Coast, Ghana)

The study examined comorbidity of substance use disorders among patients receiving treatment from Psychiatry Department, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. The study made used of the descriptive research design. The target population for the study comprised 79 psychiatric inpatients and outpatients at the Psychiatry department, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital from January 2015 to February 2018. Frequencies and percentages were used to analyse the data. The results of the study showed that substance abuse and mental disorders were prevalent at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Comorbidity of substance abuse and mental disorder was also prevalent. It was recommended that staff of the hospital should organize workshops and seminars to educate and sensitize the general public regarding comorbidity of substance abuse and mental disorders.