The Effect of Rehabilitation on Nutritional Status of Alcohol Dependent Males in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Habitual alcohol consumption leads to alcohol dependency which is associated with significant nutritional, medical, economical, and social risks. This has become a major public health issue globally both in developed and developing countries. The main objective of the study was to determine the effect of rehabilitation on nutritional status of alcohol dependent males in Nairobi Place and Mathari hospital in Nairobi, Kenya.

Methodology: This was an experimental (Pre-post) study design of 57 rehabilitated alcohol dependent males recruited for the study within one week of admission and re-assessed after four weeks. Semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data on social-demographic characteristics. A food frequency questionnaire was used to collect information on food consumed. Chi-square test of association, T-test and multivariate logistic regression were employed in the analysis. All the analysis was done using SPSS V.16.0 for windows and results were considered significant at 5% ?- level.

Results: The proportion of under-nutrition before and after rehabilitation at Nairobi place was 10% and 5% respectively (?²=0.604, p=0.865). Mathari had 16.2% and 8.1% underweight before and after rehabilitation respectively (?²=1.349, p=0.592). In the first encounter Nairobi place and Mathari hospital, nutrient inadequacies were high in vitamin C at 80% and 61.9%; zinc at 67.4% and 79.8%; folate at 80% and 49.7% respectively. In the second encounter Nairobi place provided food with adequate nutrients while Mathari hospital food was inadequate in folate, Vitamin A and Vitamin C at probabilities of 100%, 100%, and 93% respectively. Socio-demographic characteristics and diseases were not significantly associated with under nutrition (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Alcohol was the cause of under-nutrition in both centers as other factors were not significantly associated with under-nutrition. Rehabilitation play a role in the nutrition status and recovery of alcohol dependent males. The Government and program managers need to consider and place emphasis nutrition in alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs.

Keywords: Alcohol dependence, Rehabilitation, Nutrition