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. 2023 Apr 10;23(1):239.
doi: 10.1186/s12888-023-04738-4.

The co-morbidity of DSM-V Gambling with DSM-V mental disorders and substance abuse in a Kenyan context of high risk schizophrenia

David M Ndetei  1   2   3 , Victoria Mutiso  4   5 , Reinpeter Momanyi  4   5 , Pascalyne Nyamai  4   5 , Christine Musyimi  4   5 , Daniel Mamah  6
Affiliations

The co-morbidity of DSM-V Gambling with DSM-V mental disorders and substance abuse in a Kenyan context of high risk schizophrenia

David M Ndetei et al. BMC Psychiatry. .

Abstract

Introduction: There is evidence that gambling disorder shares similarities with other types of addictive behavior, such as occurs in substance abuse. In addition, co-morbidity of gambling with mental disorders has been established in school-going students.

Aim: This study aimed at determining the comorbidity of DSM-V gambling disorder with DSM-V mental disorders and substance abuse in high school, college and university students in Kenya.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among 536 high school, college and university students. We collected data on socio-demographic characteristics, economic indicators, DSM-V diagnosis including DSM-V gambling disorder and substance use disorders using the WHO ASSIST tool. Descriptive and inferential analyses were done.

Results: A total of 536 students participated in the study, of which 11.4% (61 out of 536) had DSM-V gambling disorder. Male gender (AOR = 12.0, 95% CI: 4.99-34.3), antisocial personality disorder (AOR = 3.42, 95% CI: 1.34-8.54), tobacco use (AOR = 4.42, 95% CI: 1.15-18.3) and conduct disorder (AOR = 7.56, 95% CI: 2.34-25.1) were predictors of gambling disorder.

Conclusion: Gambling is highly prevalent in Kenya learning institutions at 11.4% and is associated with mental disorders and substance use. There is a need for public awareness of gambling among Kenyan youths.

Keywords: Co-morbidity; Gambling; Kenyan context; Mental disorders; Substance use; Youth.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Severity of gambling disorder plot in descending order. Mild gambling disorder comprised 5.2% while moderate gambling disorder comprised 4.5% of the sample and severe gambling disorder constituted 1.7%. Non-disordered gamblers comprised of 88.6%
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Prevalence of gambling disorder symptoms plot arranged in descending order. Most (17.9%) of the respondents gambled even after a loss with 14.9% preoccupied with gambling. Further, 13.1% of the respondents indicated to needing to gamble with more money to achieve desired excitement. In addition, 12.7% had made repeated unsuccessful attempts to reduce/stop their gambling and 7.5% of respondents had borrowed money as a result of their gambling habit
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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