Help-seeking behavior for problematic substance uses in Bahir Dar town, North-West Ethiopia

Abstract Background: Mental, neurological and substance use disorders are common, but 76% to 85% of people with those disorders in low and middle-income countries did not receive treatment. Objective: Our objective was to assess the level of help seeking behavior and associated factors among residents with problematic substance uses (alcohol, khat, tobacco and hashish). Methods: Community based cross sectional study was conducted in Bahir Dar town among total of 548 participants with problematic substance users. We had interviewed for help seeking behavior by pre-tested modified General Help Seeking Questionnaire. Logistic regression was done and p-value < 0.05 was used for declaration of significant level. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) have been used. Results: Among five hundred and forty-eight participants with problematic substance users, only one hundred and sixty-eight (30.7%) sought help for their substance related problems. Participants9 age above 35 years [AOR = .47 95% CI (.25, .90)], positively screened for common mental disorders [AOR = 4.12, 95% CI (2.7, 6.3)], comorbid medical [AOR = 3.0, 95% CI (1.7, 5.3)], and grand-families9 history of substance user [AOR = 2.18, 95% CI (1.4, 3.4)] found significantly associated with help seeking. Conclusion: There was low proportion of help seeking behavior among participants with problematic substance users. Advanced age was a barrier to seek help while medical illnesses, common mental disorders and history of substance use in grand families were found to enforce to seek help. Key words: help seeking, problematic substance use, urban, Ethiopia, low-income country