| dc.description.abstract | Childhood traumas have been linked to different forms of psychopathology such
mood, substance use and anxiety disorders. Until recently, studies have focused on the
impact of adverse childhood experiences on children and adolescents without a focus
on their adult addictive behaviours. In consequence, most addiction treatment
protocols do not explicitly provide the need to provide trauma-informed interventions
for persons with substance use disorders. This research was carried out to establish the
relationship between childhood trauma and opioid addiction among clients at the
SAPTA harm reduction program, in Nairobi County, Kenya. The specific objectives
of the study were; to establish whether childhood emotional abuse, parental neglect,
and parental separation and divorce result in adult opioid use disorder and to advocate
for trauma-informed interventions for clients with opioid use disorders (OUD). A total
of 332 clients receiving services at the SAPTA‘s harm reduction program participated
in the study; 267 male and 63 female. A combination of stratified and purposive
sampling methods was used for the study with data collected through self-reported
and interviewer-guided questionnaires. SPSS software was used to analyze data which
was presented using descriptive statistics and content analysis using quantitative and
qualitative techniques and the use of Pearson correlation and regression analysis. 89%
of the respondents presented with severe OUD, 62% were currently on methadone
with 43% had been on the program for more than 3 years. The study found a strong
positive correlation (+1) between the studied childhood trauma experiences and adult
OUD Out of the 332 respondents, 92 % had been exposed to emotional abuse, 96% to
parental neglect, and 72% to parental separation. Significant associations between
childhood trauma and OUD were revealed. Emotional abuse emerged as a significant
predictor of adult OUD, with individuals reporting emotional abuse during childhood
being three times more likely to develop OUD. Parental neglect was also found to
significantly increase the likelihood of OUD, with neglected individuals twice as
likely to develop OUD. Parental separation exhibited a profound association with
adult OUD, with affected individuals being eight times more likely to develop OUD.
The study found that even though counselling services were available, 72% attended
at least one counselling session, out of those only 51% explored adverse childhood
experiences during the sessions. This study confirmed severe OUD and a high
prevalence of childhood trauma among clients receiving harm reduction services. This
espouses the need to screen, assess, and develop trauma-informed treatment plans for
every client. The severity of OUD identified warrants the need for medication-assisted
treatment complimented by well-outlined behavioural expectations when one is on
methadone. Additionally, trauma-informed interventions for the clients and their
families, addressing environmental risk factors, providing recovery support services,
safe spaces for men to speak out, love, protection, and supervision of children and
adolescents are recommended. The study provides valuable insights for clinical
practice and policy development in preventing and addressing OUD among
vulnerable populations. | en_US |
