Harmful alcohol use and associated factors among patients with neuropsychiatric disorders in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Although a wide range of studies have shown that alcohol use disorder is of significant public health importance, no systematic reviews or meta-analyses have been conducted to assess the pooled prevalence of harmful alcohol use and associated factors among patients with neuropsychiatric disorders. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the existing evidence on the prevalence of harmful alcohol use and associated factors among patients with neuropsychiatric disorders in Ethiopia. METHODS: statistics. Publication bias was assessed by visual inspection of funnel plots and Egger's regression tests. RESULTS: The pooled prevalence of harmful alcohol use and associated factors among patients with neuropsychiatric disorders in Ethiopia was 34.12% (95% CI: 17.67- 50.56, P < 0.001). Smoking [POR = 5.18, 95% CI: (3.83-7.00)], male sex (POR = 2.33, 95% CI: 0.54- 10.55), perceived stress (POR = 4.30, 95% CI: 2.60- 7.12), being single (POR = 3.17, 95% CI: 1.59- 6.33), a family history of alcoholism (POR = 1.90, 95% CI: 0.72, 5.05) and a duration of illness greater than 5 years (POR = 2.44, 95% CI 0.94, 6.34) were factors associated with harmful alcohol use and associated factors among patients with neuropsychiatric disorders. CONCLUSION: According to the current review, harmful alcohol use is highly prevalent among patients with neuropsychiatric disorders. Being male, smoking, experiencing perceived stress, being single, having a family history of alcoholism and having a longer duration of illness were the factors associated with harmful alcohol use. PROSPERO REGISTRATION: CRD42024573994.