No abstract

Aims: This study was designed to examine the pattern of psychoactive drugs use among long-distance truck drivers in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state, Nigeria. Study Design: This was a descriptive cross sectional study. Place and Duration: The study was conducted at the converging motor park for truck drivers in Ado-Ekiti, south-west Nigeria between September and December 2019. Methods: The pattern of psychoactive drugs use among 306 adult male truck drivers was determined using a semi-structured questionnaire in addition to a sociodemographic questionnaire. Data was analyzed and logistic regression was used to identify significant predictors of illicit drug use. Results: Among the 306 study participants, 43.7% consumed alcohol.  The major non-prescription drugs used by the truck drivers were cough syrups (67.0%); analgesics (49.3%); cannabis (39.9%); amphetamine/methamphetamine (33.0%) and tranquilizers (32.0%). Opioid analgesics like tramadol (35.1%) and morphine (22.3%) were the commonly used analgesics. The predictor of psychoactive drugs use among the long-distance truck drivers is the co-use of alcohol and tobacco (AOR (1.71) 95% CI (1.24–2.36%). Conclusion: There is a high rate of psychoactive drugs use among truck drivers. There is an urgent need to educate the truck drivers on the adverse implications of illicit drug use and the need to abstain for better health promotion.

No abstract

No abstract

Introduction: Amidst unfavorable effects of alcohol and other substances on the course and outcomes of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, this study aimed at identifying patterns of alcohol and substance usage and their association with gender and presence of psychological distress among people living with HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (PLWHA). Material and methods:Using a cross-sectional survey, questionnaires with socio-demographic variables, Kessler psychological distress (K-10), and the condensed alcohol, smoking, and substance involvement screening test (ASSIST) were administered to PLWHA attending HIV clinic at the State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. Lifetime and current substance use as well as levels of risky use of alcohol and other substances were determined, and their relationship with gender and psychological distress were verified using bivariate statistics.Results: Among 297 participants, the majority were females (72.0%), with mean age of 37.49 years (SD = 10.02). Lifetime and current prevalence were alcohol 62.6% and 37.0%; cannabis 6.1% and 2.7%; nicotine 14.8% and 6.1%; and sedatives 43.1% and 15.4%, respectively. Males were more likely to drink alcohol, use cannabis, and smoke cigarettes than their female counterparts (p < 0.001). Those who were current sedatives users were more likely to be experiencing psychological distress (p = 0.023).Conclusions: Despite the negative effect of alcohol on the course and outcomes of HIV infection, a higher proportion of the participants had a history of lifetime and current alcohol and other substance use, with the majority of current substance users being a moderate-to high-risk users. Interventions aimed at reducing excessive substance use are needed to optimize treatment outcomes.

No abstract

No abstract