African Journal of Alcohol and Drug Abuse (AJADA)
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Awareness of factors responsible for, and social implications of, drug abuse among secondary school students in a semi-urban area in Nigeria
Full text link Globally, the negative effects of drug abuse have been a public health concern and Nigeria is not left out. However, studies on awareness of factors responsible for, and social implications, of drug abuse among students in semi-urban and rural areas is scarce. Therefore, the study aims to seek awareness of secondary school students on factors responsible for drug abuse and the social implications of drug abuse. The study is a cross-sectional survey of secondary school students in two selected secondary schools in Ipetumodu, Osun State, Nigeria. Simple random sampling was employed for selecting the participating schools and convenience sampling for respondents’ selection in the participating schools. Ninetyfour out of one hundred and two selected respondents returned the administered validated semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used for analysing the data obtained. The results revealed stress (61.7%), peer pressure (59.6%), anxiety (57.4%), experimental curiosity (53.2%), and self-esteem boosting (51.1%) garnered the highest positive responses as factors responsible for drug abuse. The drugs of abuse being readily available (38.3%) had the least positive responses. Students failing exams (85.1%) and students’ work/performance affected (84.0%) garnered the highest positive responses for the social implications of drug abuse. All risk factors for drug abuse received almost the same positive responses (74 – 77%). The students show a near-indistinguishable awareness of the factors responsible for drug abuse. They are well aware of the social implications and risks associated with drug abuse. Poor performance, health risks, and addiction are among the identified implications and risks associated with drug abuse. An educational intervention is recommended for creating awareness of factors responsible for drug abuse
Factors determining alcohol consumption in Burkina Faso
Full text linkAlcohol consumption in Burkina Faso is still relatively high, despite economic, social and health consequences on people, households and society as a whole, and despite the restrictive legislation adopted on production, importation, marketing and advertisement. Therefore, this study is undertaken to identify the main factors influencing the persistent use of these products by men and women in the country. The data used came from the Burkina Faso Demographic and Health Survey, conducted in 2021 on a representative sample of 7,720 men aged 15-59 and 17,659 women aged 15-49. The analyses began with a description of practice according to a number of salient characteristics. Ordinal logistic regression is then used to identify the consumption determinants for each gender. We found that women consume less alcohol than men (9.8% and 27.1% respectively), that the more affluent consume more alcohol, while Muslims consume less. In addition, no longer being in union (divorced, separated, widowed), being older and living in the south-west region are associated with higher alcohol consumption. Alcohol consumption also predisposes to smoking. These parameters help us to better target the categories and areas where to raise awareness of harmful effects of alcohol
Binge eating and drinking among alcoholics at night clubs in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Full text linkThis study was done among alcoholics at night clubs in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to specifically identify characteristics of binge eating and drinking, pinpoint binge eating episodes during binge drinking, and describe the awareness of the effects of binge eating during binge drinking. longitudinal design, participatory observations, conversational interviews and phenomenological analysis were used to collect and analyse data obtained from a population of 30 alcoholics, 12 waiters and 4 cooks, who were obtained using purposive sampling technique. The results reveal that binge eating is characterized by eating ugali or chips with 0.5 kg of fried chicken, pork, or beef,eating fried bananas with 1 bowl of chicken or beef soup, and eating only 0.5kg to 1 kg of fried chicken, pork or beef. They also reveal that binge drinking is characterized by drinking 3 to 5 bottles of beers within 30 to 60 minutes, 1 to 2 bottles of wine or a mixture of spirits and soda within 60 to 120 minutes, 1.5litres of water within 5 to 15 minutes after feeling exhausted and continue to drink alcohol, and pausing 20 to 30 minutes by laying the head on the table for a short sleep and continue to drink after waking. They further reveal that binge eating during binge drinking takes place more than 3 times within an interval of 1 to 1.5 hours. They finally reveal that alcoholics are aware that binge eating during binge drinking leads to obesity and overweight, money squandering, sleeping complications, blood sugar level increase, cardiovascular dysfunctions and cancers. It is therefore concluded that alcoholics at night clubs are hazardously engaging in binge eating and drinking while having basic knowledge of their detrimental effects. The study also advices government authorities to establish means of controlling food and alcohol services to sustain alcoholics’ health.
Substance use and behavioral addiction patterns: Treatment outcomes among patients admitted to an addiction treatment and rehabilitation center in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital
Full text link Substance use and behavioral addiction disorders, pose significant public health challenges. This study investigated the association between drug use and pathological gambling patterns and treatment outcomes among 80 patients admitted to the Drug Addiction Treatment, Education, and Rehabilitation (DATER) unit of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. A retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of case files revealed that the majority of participants were male (76.3%), unmarried (68.8%), and polysubstance users (44.3%). Opiates, alcohol, and cannabis were the most frequently abused substances, with three cases of behavioral addiction specifically related to gambling. Half of the participants had comorbid conditions, and 93.8% reported impairment. Treatment completion rates were high (86.3%), but follow-up adherence was low (28.7%). No significant differences were found in sociodemographic or clinical variables between completers and non-completers. However, a significant inverse relationship was observed between treatment completion and poor follow-up adherence. The study highlights the complexity of managing SUDs, particularly among polysubstance users, and underscores the importance of integrated treatment approaches. While treatment completion was high, the low follow-up adherence suggests a critical gap, necessitating robust aftercare strategies. Future research should focus on understanding factors that promote long term engagement and sustained recovery in addiction treatment
Assessment and comparison of the knowledge and attitudes toward drug abuse among male and female secondary school students in Owo, Ondo State
Full text linkDrug abuse is the illicit use of medications, usually to incite pleasure, Euphoria, or to gain a feeling that has not been instructed for by a medical professional. The concept of drug abuse has been discussed in Nigeria time after time, but it remains a menace in the country. A cross-sectional study on the knowledge of drug abuse amongst teenagers was carried out in Owo, a local government area in Ondo state, Nigeria, using the questionnaire method. The questions ranged from basic knowledge of these concepts to complex questions. A comparison of the level of knowledge and attitudes toward drug abuse was made between male and female students and between students in private and public schools. They were all found to have sufficient basic knowledge of drug abuse, its causes, and its effects. There was no statistically significant difference between the level of knowledge and attitudes toward drug abuse between male and female secondary school students and between private and public school students
Personality traits among individuals with substance use disorders attending a psychiatric hospital in Lagos
Full text linkSubstance use disorder is a chronic relapsing disease with rising incidence. Many studies have focused majorly on the sociocultural aspects of substance use disorder and its management. Certain personality traits have been linked to higher risk of substance abuse. Identifying these traits can help predict vulnerability and development of personality-based interventions. The study aimed at identifying personality traits among individuals with substance use disorder. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study involving 167 participants. The Big Five Inventory measured the personality traits of the individuals. Data was analysed using the SPSS version 26 at 95% confidence interval. There were more males (74.3%) than females in the study and most common age group was 25-34 years (49.7%). The mean SD score for extraversion was 24.57 (4.54), agreeableness 34.73 (5.90), conscientiousness 32.55 (6.20), neuroticism 21.64 (5.88) and openness 35.78 (6.73). Multiple pairwise comparisons revealed significant differences among personality traits. The highest mean differences were observed between: Openness vs. Extraversion (t = 21.6, p < 0.001), Agreeableness vs. Extraversion (t = 20.6, p < 0.001), and Conscientiousness vs. Neuroticism (t = 18.8, p < 0.001). There was statistically significant differences in personality traits across the different substance use disorders noted in agreeableness (F = 4.1, p = 0.04), conscientiousness (F = 4.0, p = 0.04), and openness (F = 4.53, p = 0.04) across SUD groups. No significant differences were observed in extraversion (p = 0.31) or neuroticism (p = 0.62). The study concluded that openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness were significantly higher compared to extraversion and neuroticism in the participants. The results underscore the need for personality-targeted intervention strategies
Acceptability and attitude towards use of digital interventions in substance use disorders psychosocial treatment: : a study of healthcare providers at a Methadone Clinic in Kenya
Full text linkDigital interventions have been used for psychosocial treatment in substance use disorder but there is limited research on their application in Kenya. Determining the acceptability and attitude towards use of digital intervention in substance use disorder psychosocial treatment is important. The aim of this study was to assess the acceptability and attitude of healthcare providers towards use of digitalinterventions for psychosocial treatment at a methadone clinic in Kenya. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out among healthcare providers. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic variables, acceptability and attitude towards use of digital interventions in substance use disorder treatment. Technology acceptance model (TAM) was used as conceptual basis for this study. Data was analyzed using SPSS whereby a descriptive analysis was conducted and Pearson’s coefficient used to assess the relationship between the TAM constructs. The data is summarized in tables, figures graphs. Twenty-one health care providers participated comprising 76.2% females and mean age of 33 (SD 6.9) years, of which 66.7% had training in addiction and 23.8% had ever used digital intervention previously. Acceptability was high with 90.5% agreeing that psychosocial treatment can be provided through digital interventions, 80.9% reported digital intervention would improve access to treatment and 76.2% viewed a digital intervention as cost effective. Majority (76.2%) agreed that digital intervention can influence substance use and patients would benefit from the intervention. Using the technology acceptance model, perceived ease of use was associated with perceived usefulness and attitude toward using; and perceived usefulness was associated with attitude towards use. The findings show high acceptability and positive attitude towards use of digital interventions in substance use disorder treatment among the health care providers at a methadone clinic. This can inform design and implementation of digital interventions among individuals with substance use disorders in Kenya
Faith-Based Approach in the Control of Substance Abuse: : Interventional Perspective of Hisbah in Northern Nigeria
Full text linkSubstance abuse has become a global problem. Specifically, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Target 3.5, addresses the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, especially narcotic drug addiction, and hazardous alcohol use. In Nigeria, several efforts have been made by succeeding governments to reduce substance abuse through formal means, but the threat has persisted owing to the weak implementation of substance-related policies and laws. Despite this, there is little empirical research on faith-based informal mechanisms of reducing the threat. This study, therefore, examines the roles of Hisbah as an informal means of reducing substance abuse, as well as people’s views of Hisbah’s role in the fight against substance use in Kano State, Nigeria. The study\u27s theoretical grounding is in Emile Durkheim’s Theory of Religion and Social Control. This exploratory study employed a qualitative approach in its methods of investigation. This study recruited a total of 24 participants. These participants were made up of two (2) executives of Hisbah, three (3) Hisbah Commandants, five (5) Hisbah field personnel, seven (7) offenders, and seven (7) members of the general public. The qualitative data obtained were analysed using narrative technique and thematic approach with the aid of Atlas ti. software. Findings from the study indicated that religious organizations such as that of the Hisbah play a significant role in the fight against substance abuse. The study recommended that religious organisations should be co-opted into mainstream government policies in the fight against drug and substance use
Predictors of cognitive impairment in patients with substance use disorder in Kiambu County, Kenya
Full text linkCognitive impairments induced by substance use contribute to poorer treatment outcomes among patients with substance use disorder (SUD). Neuropsychological assessments are often neglected during patient evaluation in SUD treatment programs owing to the fact that they require extensive time for evaluation and are resource intensive. This inattention is likely to compromise comprehensive treatments which would offer better prognosis for such patients undergoing treatment for SUD. The main objective of this study was to determine predictors of neuro cognitive disorders (NCD) in patients with substance use disorders enrolled in rehabilitation centres in Kiambu County, Kenya. A cross-sectional design was adopted and data collected between Oct-23 to Jan 2024, covering a total of 250 patients aged 18-65 years that consented to participate in the study. Consecutive non-probability sampling technique was deployed in the recruitment of the respondents into the study. A self-rated questionnaire was developed for data collection whereas the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Tool was employed in the screening for cognitive impairment. The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 34.8% (Prevalence per primary substance showed alcohol=37%, cannabis=22%, and khat=22%). Age (Coefficient=0.0852, P=0.013 CI= 0.018-0.152), education (Coefficient=0.0783, P<0.008 CI= 0.021-0.139), and anxiety disorder (Coefficient=0.4286, P<0.001 CI= 0.317-0.540) were found to be significantly associated with neurocognitive disorders at multivariate analysis. This shows that it is important to screen for cognitive impairments during early treatment stages considering the high prevalence rate. This will enhance the choice of treatment course and maximize on treatment outcomes
Assessment of the significance of statistical referencing in global substance use research
Full text linkThis paper reviews the significance of statistical referencing within global substance use research. The researcher adopted a literature search method collecting data from academic search databases such as PubMed and Scopus. These papers reviewed, acknowledge that statistical reference serves not just as a cornerstone for robust global substance use research but also facilitates researchers to truly cite and document their sources for the epidemiological data that inform their analyses and findings. This paper significantly identifies the rigorous statistical referencing framework: not only enhancing credibility but also increasing the research replication and cross-comparison of studies across time and space. By these guidelines, statistical referencing would assure that the work was attributed to add to the larger amount of knowledge base that exists within the field of substance use epidemiology and happen to get further knowledge into the field. The adoption of statistical-reference consistency permits the synthesis of contributions from many sources to paint a picture of global trends and dominant patterns in substance use studies. This paper recommends careful selection of reference groups, addresses possible biases, clear reporting, and conducting power analysis for robust and reliable research in substance use studies. Thus, concluded that statistical referencing empowers substance use research with the capability of data analysis, evaluation of treatment, and identification of contributing factors toward proper design interventions and policy formulation.