Substance use and substance use disorders in Africa: An epidemiological approach to the review of existing literature

Onaolapo, Olakunle James; Olofinnade, Anthony Tope; Ojo, Foluso Olamide; Adeleye, Olufunto; Falade, Joshua; Onaolapo, Adejoke Yetunde

doi:10.5498/wjp.v12.i10.1268

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 127 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…These substances were: alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine-type stimulants, inhalants, sedatives, hallucinogens, opioids, and others. These definitions have been previously used in other studies ( 17 , 18 ). The frequency of use was grouped into two categories.…”

Section: Participants and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association between psychosis and substance use in Kenya. Findings from the NeuroGAP-Psychosis study

Nguata,

Orwa,

Kigen

et al. 2024

Front. Psychiatry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundSubstance use is prevalent among people with mental health issues, and patients with psychosis are more likely to use and misuse substances than the general population. Despite extensive research on substance abuse among the general public in Kenya, there is a scarcity of data comparing substance use among people with and without psychosis. This study investigates the association between psychosis and various substances in Kenya.MethodsThis study utilized data from the Neuro-GAP Psychosis Case-Control Study between April 2018 and December 2022. The KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme recruited participants from various sites in Kenya, including Kilifi County, Malindi Sub-County, Port Reitz and Coast General Provincial Hospitals, and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, as well as affiliated sites in Webuye, Kapenguria, Kitale, Kapsabet, and Iten Kakamega. The collected data included sociodemographic information, substance use, and clinical diagnosis. We used the summary measures of frequency (percentages) and median (interquartile range) to describe the categorical and continuous data, respectively. We examined the association between categorical variables related to psychosis using the chi-square test. Logistic regression models were used to assess the factors associated with the odds of substance use, considering all relevant sociodemographic variables.ResultsWe assessed a total of 4,415 cases and 3,940 controls. Except for alcohol consumption (p-value=0.41), all forms of substance use showed statistically significant differences between the case and control groups. Cases had 16% higher odds of using any substance than controls (aOR: 1.16, 95%CI: 1.05-1.28, p=0.005). Moreover, males were 3.95 times more likely to use any substance than females (aOR:3.95; 95%CI: 3.43-4.56). All the categories of living arrangements were protective against substance use.ConclusionThe findings of this study suggest that psychotic illnesses are associated with an increased likelihood of using various substances. These findings are consistent with those of previous studies; however, it is crucial to investigate further the potential for reverse causality between psychosis and substance abuse using genetically informed methods.

show abstract

Section: Participants and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association between psychosis and substance use in Kenya. Findings from the NeuroGAP-Psychosis study

Nguata,

Orwa,

Kigen

et al. 2024

Front. Psychiatry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, this tends to be impossible due to lack of proper functionality of the small units of the government in the region. As per the functionalism theory aspect, authority is made up of small units which are interdependent (Onaolapo et al, 2022). The units may include village elders, assistant chiefs and chiefs among others.…”

Section: Types Of Drugs Abusedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nature of Drug and Substance Abuse in Kilifi and Mombasa Counties of Coastal Kenya

Sospeter,

Iteyo

2023

AJERNET

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Drug and substance abuse has become one of the looming human-induced disasters globally, making it a profound concern among the comity of nations owing to the significant detrimental effects it has in almost every aspect of life and development. In Kenya, it has become one of the major social catastrophes with the commonest and most easily identifiable manifest in public health. Specific objective of the study was to examine the nature of drug and substance abuse in selected counties in the coastal region, Kenya. The study was guided by the social learning theory and functionalism theory. The study was further underpinned by the interpretivism approach. The study used descriptive and evaluative research designs, with data collected through interviews and focus group discussions. The study was conducted in Kilifi and Mombasa Counties. Data was collected from 552 respondents, who included 384 household heads, 20 victims, 2 county education officers, 2 county commissioners, 2 county health officers, 70 administrative chiefs, 102 village elders, 9 head of NACADA officers, and 8 religious leaders. The study revealed that drug abuse is a significant problem affecting individuals of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds. Commonly abused substances include alcohol 99% (383), khat 98% (378), tobacco 97% (376), cannabis 94% (364), heroin 89% (341), cocaine 88% (337), prescription drugs 85% (326), and methamphetamine 80% (307). Both males 75% (289) and 25% (95) females engage in drugs and substance abuse. The main causes of the menace are unemployment 99% (380), poverty 98% (376), mental illnesses 97% (373) and curiosity and experimentation 96% (370). The study recommends strict border control, adequate provision of adequate security personnel at the border posts, and adoption of new technologies to aid in surveillance and monitoring and tracking of the smugglers.

show abstract

“…The surging public health dilemma posed by synthetic cannabinoids, exemplified by “Kush,” represents an escalating crisis in West Africa[1,2]. The designation “Kush” conjures images of the perilous Hindu Kush mountains, a metaphor for the formidable risks inherent to the drug.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beyond the Smoke: A Phenomenological Study of Health and Social Implications of Kush Use Among Sierra Leonean Youths

Bangura,

Mayei,

Fatoma

et al. 2024

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: The rising use of "Kush" among Sierra Leone's youth is a public health concern. Kush, a concoction of Cannabis indica and synthetic substances, symbolizes the broader issue of drug misuse in low-income settings. This study explored the intricacies of Kush use among young Sierra Leoneans, highlighting the gravity of the crisis. Methods: The research employed a phenomenological method, gathering insights through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) to understand motivations and repercussions of Kush consumption. Selecting participants from diverse socio-demographic groups, the study included habitual users and those in vulnerable situations. Ten interviews were analyzed thematically, facilitated by NVivo software and Concept maps, to distill information. Results: Findings identified numerous reasons for Kush use, from managing stress and trauma to seeking social belonging and economic necessity. Users experienced severe health issues, economic instability, and productivity loss. The effects varied by Kush strain, underscoring its heterogeneous nature. Despite a strong will to quit, influenced by health, family, and aspirations, youths faced hurdles like withdrawal symptoms, peer pressure, and scarce support systems. Conclusion: Kush consumption in Sierra Leonean youths is entwined with socioeconomic and post-conflict factors, leading to significant adverse effects. Effective intervention requires a multifaceted strategy, focusing on underlying drug abuse causes and providing robust support systems. This study calls for tailored measures and policies that acknowledge the complex motivations behind Kush use and its impacts, aiming to foster an environment conducive to youth empowerment and health. Keywords: Kush, Prevention Strategies, Youths, Sierra Leone

show abstract

Substance use and substance use disorders in Africa: An epidemiological approach to the review of existing literature

Cited by 8 publications

References 127 publications

Association between psychosis and substance use in Kenya. Findings from the NeuroGAP-Psychosis study

Association between psychosis and substance use in Kenya. Findings from the NeuroGAP-Psychosis study

Nature of Drug and Substance Abuse in Kilifi and Mombasa Counties of Coastal Kenya

Beyond the Smoke: A Phenomenological Study of Health and Social Implications of Kush Use Among Sierra Leonean Youths

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About