Psychosocial Determinants of Marijuana Utilization among Selected Junior High School Students in the Central Region of Ghana

Hormenu, Thomas; Hagan, John Elvis; Schack, Thomas; Pollmann, Dietmar

doi:10.14302/issn.2474-3585.jpmc-18-2223

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…The prevalence of tobacco use found in this study is consistent with the findings from earlier studies in Bangladesh [5,[28][29][30]. Although there is no study that estimated the prevalence of other substance use in Bangladesh, the prevalence reported in this study is much lower than that of other Asian [25,41] and African countries [42,43]. This difference could be due to underreporting that could be explained by two factors: strong social stigma and legal prohibition of alcohol use and other illicit drug use in Bangladesh [44].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Psychosocial and socio-environmental factors associated with adolescents’ tobacco and other substance use in Bangladesh

et al. 2020

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Background Tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana are the top three substances used by adolescents. The adverse health effects of these three substances are well documented in epidemiological literature, yet little is known about the substance use and associated factors among adolescents in Bangladesh. This study examines the risk factors for tobacco and other substances use among school-going adolescents in Bangladesh. Methods We analyzed data from the 2014 Bangladesh Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) of adolescents aged 13–17 years. We used two outcome measures: tobacco use (TU) and other substance use (SU; alcohol and/or marijuana). We examined a set of reported psychosocial and socio-environmental adverse events as risk factors. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify associations. Results The prevalence of TU and other SU among school-going adolescents was 9.6% and 2.3%, respectively. The likelihood of TU and other SU was higher among adolescents who reported being bullied (TU: adjusted odd ratio [AOR]: 1.93; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.24–3.00; and other SU: AOR: 3.43; 95% CI: 1.46–7.99) and having sexual history (TU: AOR: 19.38; 95% CI: 12.43–30.21; and other SU: AOR: 5.34; 95% CI: 2.17–13.29). Moreover, anxiety-related sleep loss was associated with adolescents’ TU (AOR: 2.41; 95% CI: 1.02–5.82) whereas the likelihood of other SU (AOR: 3.27; 95% CI: 1.14–9.44) was higher among lonely adolescents. Experience of adverse socio-environmental factors, such as parental substance use (TU: AOR: 7.81; 95% CI: 5.08–12.01), poor monitoring (TU: AOR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.16–3.31) and poor understanding (TU: AOR: 2.22; 95% CI: 1.36–3.65), and lack of peer support (TU: AOR: 3.13; 95% CI: 1.84–5.31; and other SU: AOR: 2.45; 95% CI: 1.02–5.91), and truancy (other SU: AOR: 4.29; 95% CI: 1.81–10.12) were also positively associated with TU and/or other SU. Additionally, higher odds of tobacco use were observed among adolescents who reported 1 (AOR: 4.36 times; 95% CI: 1.34–14.24), 2 (AOR: 8.69 95% CI: 1.67–28.23), and ≥3 (AOR: 17.46; 95% CI: 6.20–49.23) adverse psychosocial experiences than who did not report any psychosocial events. Conclusions Tobacco and other substance use among school-going adolescents are prevalent in Bangladesh. Several psychosocial and socio-environmental events are associated with TU and other SU, which should be incorporated into adolescent substance use and health promotion programs.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Psychosocial and socio-environmental factors associated with adolescents’ tobacco and other substance use in Bangladesh

et al. 2020

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“…This analysis estimated the prevalence of marijuana use and assessed its association with repeated attempted suicide among SHS students in Ghana. The prevalence rate of marijuana use in this study (3.4%) was relatively lower than the reported rate of 9% found among junior high school students 20 and 5.3% among school-going adolescents in Ghana. 21 In Africa, our estimated prevalence rate is comparatively fivefold lower to the proportion of adolescents who use cannabis in sub-Saharan Africa (15.6%).…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 83%

Marijuana use and repeated attempted suicide among senior high school students in Ghana: Evidence from the WHO Global School-Based Student Health Survey, 2012

et al. 2020

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BackgroundThe association between substance use including marijuana use and attempted suicide has been well documented. However, little is known about marijuana use and its association with attempted suicide repetition among young people in low-income and middle-income contexts.AimsThis analysis was conducted to assess the factors associated with marijuana use and ascertain marijuana use as a determinant of repeated attempted suicide among senior high school (SHS) students in Ghana.MethodsData from the 2012 Global School-Based Student Health Survey in Ghana was used for this study. Modified Poisson, Logistic and Probit models weighted with Mahalanobis distance matching within propensity calliper were employed separately to determine the hypothetical association between marijuana use and repeated attempted suicide. All analysis was performed using Stata 16 and p≤0.05 was deemed statistically significant.ResultsThe prevalence estimates of marijuana use and repeated attempted suicide among SHS students in Ghana were 3.4% (95% CI: 2.3 to 5.1) and 11.5% (95% CI: 9.1 to 14.4), respectively. The prevalence of marijuana use was significantly associated with school grade, smoking exposure, parent smoker, alcohol intake and truancy. Marijuana use was positively associated with repeated attempted suicide among SHS in Ghana (φ correlation=0.23, p<0.001). Repeated attempted suicide among students who use marijuana was approximately threefold and fivefold significant compared with non-marijuana use students, based on the Poisson (adjusted prevalence ratio: 3.02; 95% CI: 1.67 to 5.43, p<0.001) and Logistic (adjusted OR:5.06; 95% CI: 3.19 to 11.64, p<0.001) estimates respectively. Also, the Probit model showed that marijuana use significantly increased the log count of repeated attempted suicide by 95% (aβ: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.49 to 1.41, p<0.001).ConclusionMarijuana use does not only influence the onset of suicidal attempts but also repeated attempted suicide among SHS students in Ghana. Special attention is required for suicide attempters with a history of repeated attempts and current marijuana use among SHS students in Ghana. Early identification of the potential risk and protective factors is recommended to inform school-based interventions. National level structured school-based substance abuse interventions and health promotion programmes would be useful.

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“…Marijuana prevalence in our study (7.5%) exceeded the 3.4% found in a Ghanaian study using 2012 Global School-Based Student Health Survey data (14,36), but was lower than the 9% reported among junior high school students (37). These variations may stem from differences in sample size and the number of schools involved.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 78%

“…Finally, our study revealed significant associations between marijuana use and family exposure, non-exposure to social media, and living with both parents and siblings, echoing the importance of family influence found in Moroccan and Northern Irish studies (54,55). While initially significant, being male, peer exposure, and working alongside schooling became insignificant after adjustment, contrasting studies linking these factors to marijuana use (18,37). This could be due to our study's smaller sample size compared to larger studies finding age, low self-esteem, and substance availability as significant predictors (6,56).…”

Section: Substance Use Dependencesupporting

confidence: 69%

Current substance use patterns and associated factors among Ghanaian adolescents in senior high school

Darko,

Glozah

2024

Preprint

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Substance use poses a significant threat to adolescent health and well-being globally, with rising rates of concern in developing countries. Understanding the specific factors currently driving substance use among youth is crucial for developing targeted interventions. This study examines current substance use patterns and their correlates among Ghanaian in-school adolescents. A cross-sectional survey was administered to a random sample of 425 SHS students in Accra. A standardised questionnaire was used to assess substance use patterns (types, frequency, age of initiation), peer and family influences, socio-demographic characteristics and potential substance dependence. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sample and a multiple logistic regression models identified predictors of use for specific substances. The mean age of participants was 17.1 years. Cigarettes were the most used substance, followed by shisha, marijuana, and alcohol. Male students, those living with relatives, and those with friends who drink alcohol were more likely to use alcohol. Students who worked while in school, or had family members who smoke, had an increased likelihood of cigarette use. Older students and those with friends who use shisha were more likely to use shisha. Interestingly, limited social media exposure and living with parents and siblings were associated with lower marijuana use. Additionally, the results showed a potential substance dependence in some students. This study highlights substance use patterns and influential factors among adolescents in urban Ghana. Findings emphasize the interaction of peer influence, family environment, and gender in shaping substance use behaviours. These insights can inform culturally sensitive interventions to promote adolescent health and resilience in Ghana, and potentially other developing contexts.

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Psychosocial Determinants of Marijuana Utilization among Selected Junior High School Students in the Central Region of Ghana

Cited by 5 publications

References 54 publications

Psychosocial and socio-environmental factors associated with adolescents’ tobacco and other substance use in Bangladesh

Psychosocial and socio-environmental factors associated with adolescents’ tobacco and other substance use in Bangladesh

Marijuana use and repeated attempted suicide among senior high school students in Ghana: Evidence from the WHO Global School-Based Student Health Survey, 2012

Current substance use patterns and associated factors among Ghanaian adolescents in senior high school

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