Prevalence and determinants of tobacco use amongst South African adults with mental illness in the Eastern Cape

Linda K Tindimwebwa,Anthony I Ajayi,Oladele V Adeniyi

doi:10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v28.i0.1637

Abstract

Background: Given the physical and mental health consequences of tobacco use amongst individuals with mental illness, it was imperative to assess the burden of tobacco use in this population. Aim: This study examined the patterns and factors associated with tobacco use in individuals attending the outpatient unit. Setting: Cecilia Makiwane Hospital Mental Health Department in Eastern Cape province, South Africa. Methods: Lifetime (ever use) use and current use of any tobacco products were examined in a cross-sectional study of 390 individuals between March and June 2020. A logistic regression was fitted to determine the correlates of lifetime and current use of any tobacco products. Results: The rates of ever use and current use of tobacco products were 59.4% and 44.6%, respectively. Of the participants interviewed, lifetime tobacco use was more prevalent amongst individuals with schizophrenia (67.9%) and cannabis-induced disorders (97.3%) and lower in those with major depressive disorders (36.1%) and bipolar and related disorders (43.5%). Men were six times more likely to have ever used or currently use tobacco products in comparison to women. Also, those who had a salaried job or owned a business were over three times more likely to have ever used or currently use tobacco products compared with those receiving government social grants. Conclusions: The prevalence of tobacco use in this study was significantly higher than the general population in the Eastern Cape. Therefore, smoking prevention and cessation interventions targeted at the general population should target this often neglected sub-population in the region.

Highlights

Tobacco use is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with an estimated 6 million deaths per year.[1]
Reddy et al.[4] reported a prevalence of tobacco use of 17.6% amongst South African adults, with variations across provinces: Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and Free State had the highest prevalence at 32.9%, 31.2%, 31.4% and 27.4%, respectively
Of the participants interviewed (N = 390), lifetime tobacco use was more prevalent amongst individuals with schizophrenia (67.9%) and cannabis-induced disorders (97.3%) and was lower in those with major depressive disorders (36.1%) and bipolar and related disorders (43.5%)

Summary

Introduction

Tobacco use is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with an estimated 6 million deaths per year.[1]. According to the National Department of Health, South Africa, tobacco use prevalence was 37% and 7% for men and women, respectively.[3] there are variations in the prevalence of tobacco use according to gender, age and geographical location. Reddy et al.[4] reported a prevalence of tobacco use of 17.6% amongst South African adults, with variations across provinces: Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and Free State had the highest prevalence at 32.9%, 31.2%, 31.4% and 27.4%, respectively. The low-income countries such as Haiti, Burkina Fasso and Bangladesh, respectively, reported current use of tobacco amongst the general population as 8.3%, 16.0% and 39.1%. Given the physical and mental health consequences of tobacco use amongst individuals with mental illness, it was imperative to assess the burden of tobacco use in this population

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion