This study attempted to examine whether there were differences between substance nonuser and user adolescents on mental health problems, personality, and school environment performance. The data on mental health problems (depression, anxiety, and stress), dark triad personality traits, and substance use were collected through self-report questionnaires from a sample of 680 high school students and accessing their average scores in all subjects from the Registrars' Offices of the respective High Schools. For this study, 680 (i.e., 340 substance users and 340 non-substance users) participants were selected using repeated survey sampling from eight government and private high schools in Bahirdar City, Ethiopia. Results indicated higher mental health problems (anxiety, depression, and stress) in substance users than non-users. It was also found that substance users score lower on school environment performance than non-users. Analysis of the data showed that female students don't have significant substance use, whereas male students do have significantly higher substance use. A statistically significant difference was also found between the substance nonuser and user female and male students. The results of the general MANOVA tests revealed that the mean differences for those with substance non-users and users were significant for narcissism (F= 4.796, p < 0. 01) and psychopathy (F= 7.143, P< 0.01) personality. Parents, teachers, and counselors could benefit from this study by being informed about the mental health problems and substance use of students.
本研究旨在探讨非药物使用者与药物使用者的青少年在心理健康问题、个性和学校环境表现上是否存在差异。心理健康问题(抑郁、焦虑和压力)、黑暗人格特质和物质使用的数据是通过对680名高中生的自我报告问卷调查收集的，并从各自高中的注册办公室获取他们所有科目的平均分数。在这项研究中，通过重复调查抽样，从埃塞俄比亚巴希尔达尔市的八所政府和私立高中选择了680名参与者(即340名物质使用者和340名非物质使用者)。结果表明，药物使用者的心理健康问题(焦虑、抑郁和压力)高于非药物使用者。研究还发现，药物使用者在学校环境绩效方面的得分低于非药物使用者。对数据的分析表明，女学生没有明显的物质使用，而男学生的物质使用明显更高。在不使用药物和使用药物的男女学生之间也发现了统计学上显著的差异。一般方差分析结果显示，非物质使用者和物质使用者在自恋方面的平均差异有统计学意义(F= 4.796, p < 0。01)和精神病态人格(F= 7.143, P< 0.01)。家长、老师和辅导员可以从这项研究中受益，因为他们了解了学生的心理健康问题和药物使用情况。
{"title":"Mental health problems, dark triad personality and school environment performance in substance user and non-user of high school students","authors":"Alemayehu Belay Emagnaw","doi":"10.4314/ajdas.v21i1-2.5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajdas.v21i1-2.5","url":null,"abstract":"This study attempted to examine whether there were differences between substance nonuser and user adolescents on mental health problems, personality, and school environment performance. The data on mental health problems (depression, anxiety, and stress), dark triad personality traits, and substance use were collected through self-report questionnaires from a sample of 680 high school students and accessing their average scores in all subjects from the Registrars' Offices of the respective High Schools. For this study, 680 (i.e., 340 substance users and 340 non-substance users) participants were selected using repeated survey sampling from eight government and private high schools in Bahirdar City, Ethiopia. Results indicated higher mental health problems (anxiety, depression, and stress) in substance users than non-users. It was also found that substance users score lower on school environment performance than non-users. Analysis of the data showed that female students don't have significant substance use, whereas male students do have significantly higher substance use. A statistically significant difference was also found between the substance nonuser and user female and male students. The results of the general MANOVA tests revealed that the mean differences for those with substance non-users and users were significant for narcissism (F= 4.796, p < 0. 01) and psychopathy (F= 7.143, P< 0.01) personality. Parents, teachers, and counselors could benefit from this study by being informed about the mental health problems and substance use of students.","PeriodicalId":39196,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45265242","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
F. Parimah, C. Kwakye-Nuako, Maria-Goretti Ane, Timothy Pritchard Debrah, M. Ashinyo, S. Hanu
Although a number of studies have been conducted with persons who use drugs (PWUDs) undergoing treatment, not much is known within the African context especially Ghana. The study sought to explore the experiences of PWUD with their families, their experiences at drug rehabilitation centres in Ghana, and the ways in which their interactions with drug rehabilitation centres helped them in the recovery process. Using a phenomenological research design, 47 individuals (42 males, mean age of 40, SD=11.54) who were mainly poly-drug users (33) undergoing drug rehabilitation in Ghana were sampled. Thematic analysis was used in analysing the data set. This was done by following the steps outlined by Braun and Clarke (2006). Three (3) themes were observed: ambivalent attitudes toward PWUD, conducive atmosphere at centres, and restoration. In their state of addiction, participants' family relations expressed disappointment in them but also complemented their efforts in seeking treatment. The drug use of participants led to a breakdown of their relationship with family members. Although some family members stigmatise PWUD, other family members of PWUD are supportive in the rehabilitation process. Also, PWUD are happy with human relations exhibited at rehabilitation centres, and the 12 steps treatment program. More education is required to deal with the stigma PWUD experience among their family members and to enhance their role in the recovery of PWUDs.
{"title":"Familial role and drug users' interaction with rehabilitation centres in Ghana","authors":"F. Parimah, C. Kwakye-Nuako, Maria-Goretti Ane, Timothy Pritchard Debrah, M. Ashinyo, S. Hanu","doi":"10.4314/ajdas.v21i1-2.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajdas.v21i1-2.1","url":null,"abstract":"Although a number of studies have been conducted with persons who use drugs (PWUDs) undergoing treatment, not much is known within the African context especially Ghana. The study sought to explore the experiences of PWUD with their families, their experiences at drug rehabilitation centres in Ghana, and the ways in which their interactions with drug rehabilitation centres helped them in the recovery process. Using a phenomenological research design, 47 individuals (42 males, mean age of 40, SD=11.54) who were mainly poly-drug users (33) undergoing drug rehabilitation in Ghana were sampled. Thematic analysis was used in analysing the data set. This was done by following the steps outlined by Braun and Clarke (2006). Three (3) themes were observed: ambivalent attitudes toward PWUD, conducive atmosphere at centres, and restoration. In their state of addiction, participants' family relations expressed disappointment in them but also complemented their efforts in seeking treatment. The drug use of participants led to a breakdown of their relationship with family members. Although some family members stigmatise PWUD, other family members of PWUD are supportive in the rehabilitation process. Also, PWUD are happy with human relations exhibited at rehabilitation centres, and the 12 steps treatment program. More education is required to deal with the stigma PWUD experience among their family members and to enhance their role in the recovery of PWUDs.","PeriodicalId":39196,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46797905","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
K. Amone-P’Olak, Adrian Ivan Kakinda, Henry Kibedi, B. Omech
Drug use among young people is increasing in Africa. To prevent drug use, it is essential to understand the motivations, environments, and characteristics of users. Although there are established risk factors for drug use, little is known about the reasons why adolescents and young people take drugs. This study investigated the reasons given by a sample of secondary school pupils for using drugs and other substances, specifically, how adolescents circumvent the restrictive and prohibitive policy regime and rationalize and account for drug use. This study used a cross-sectional mixed-methods design. For quantitative data, descriptive and regression analyses were run, and for qualitative data, thematic analysis was used. About 13 per cent (n=41) met criteria for moderate to severe drug use. Coping (Mean = 4.13, SD 0.89), social (Mean = 3.71, SD 0.97), and enhancement (Mean = 3.09, SD 0.92) motives were highly endorsed as motives for drug use. The extent to which motives predicted drug use ranged from β = 0.55 (95% CI: 0.39, 0.72) for coping to β = 0.18 (95% CI: 0.08, 0.28) for expansion motives. Students employed ingenious and frequently risky ways to circumvent the rigorous and prohibitive regulatory regimes governing drug use in schools. Academic stress, limited recreational activities, poor stress management, peer influence, poor adult supervision and dysfunctional family backgrounds, all interrelate in complex ways with motives, contexts, and student characteristics to create a conducive environment for the rationalisation, medicalisation, and veneration of drug use. Further research on contexts, motives and characteristics of adolescents that shape drug use is needed.
{"title":"Substance use under a restrictive and prohibitive policy regime in secondary schools in Uganda: The convergence of motives, contexts and student characteristics","authors":"K. Amone-P’Olak, Adrian Ivan Kakinda, Henry Kibedi, B. Omech","doi":"10.4314/ajdas.v21i1-2.4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajdas.v21i1-2.4","url":null,"abstract":"Drug use among young people is increasing in Africa. To prevent drug use, it is essential to understand the motivations, environments, and characteristics of users. Although there are established risk factors for drug use, little is known about the reasons why adolescents and young people take drugs. This study investigated the reasons given by a sample of secondary school pupils for using drugs and other substances, specifically, how adolescents circumvent the restrictive and prohibitive policy regime and rationalize and account for drug use. This study used a cross-sectional mixed-methods design. For quantitative data, descriptive and regression analyses were run, and for qualitative data, thematic analysis was used. About 13 per cent (n=41) met criteria for moderate to severe drug use. Coping (Mean = 4.13, SD 0.89), social (Mean = 3.71, SD 0.97), and enhancement (Mean = 3.09, SD 0.92) motives were highly endorsed as motives for drug use. The extent to which motives predicted drug use ranged from β = 0.55 (95% CI: 0.39, 0.72) for coping to β = 0.18 (95% CI: 0.08, 0.28) for expansion motives. Students employed ingenious and frequently risky ways to circumvent the rigorous and prohibitive regulatory regimes governing drug use in schools. Academic stress, limited recreational activities, poor stress management, peer influence, poor adult supervision and dysfunctional family backgrounds, all interrelate in complex ways with motives, contexts, and student characteristics to create a conducive environment for the rationalisation, medicalisation, and veneration of drug use. Further research on contexts, motives and characteristics of adolescents that shape drug use is needed.","PeriodicalId":39196,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45287157","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a persistent and global public health and social problem. This scoping review explores and describes the impact that Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) have on families and carers. It draws on 36 research articles published between January 2007 and August 2021. The review findings are presented according to three themes, namely (1) the impact of SUDs on families/ carers, (2) the burden on carers, and (3) coping responses to living with a person with SUD. The evidence indicates that SUDs in a family affects almost all domains of family members' and carers' lives, suggesting the need to develop targeted harm reduction interventions that could reduce vulnerability and help restore the bio-psychosocial well-being of family members and carers.
{"title":"The impact of substance use disorders on families and carers: A scoping review","authors":"I. Swanepoel, Stephan Geyer, T. Marcus","doi":"10.4314/ajdas.v21i1-2.3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajdas.v21i1-2.3","url":null,"abstract":"Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a persistent and global public health and social problem. This scoping review explores and describes the impact that Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) have on families and carers. It draws on 36 research articles published between January 2007 and August 2021. The review findings are presented according to three themes, namely (1) the impact of SUDs on families/ carers, (2) the burden on carers, and (3) coping responses to living with a person with SUD. The evidence indicates that SUDs in a family affects almost all domains of family members' and carers' lives, suggesting the need to develop targeted harm reduction interventions that could reduce vulnerability and help restore the bio-psychosocial well-being of family members and carers.","PeriodicalId":39196,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44512934","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nwangwu Chukwunwike Nnanna, Samuel O. Okpan, A. N. Roberts, Emeka Nwosuji, C. Ayuk, Ifeoma Louisa Eze, Leonard U. Ngwu, Uchenna Martha Ogbuke
This study investigated the peoples' perception of public flogging as a control measure for methamphetamine (Mkpuru-Mmiri) use among youth in Southeastern Nigeria. The study adopted mixed methods. The questionnaire comprised (12) items administered to a sample size of 1055 through the online mediated platform – Google Forms, while the qualitative data were collected from (12) participants via face-to-face interviews. The quantitative data were processed using SPSS version 20.0 and displayed in descriptive statistics. The hypothesis was tested using the Mann-Whitney U test. The NVivo 10 software was used to analyze the qualitative data thematically. The study revealed that the practice seems to have been accepted as a social control measure for drug misuse in Southeast Nigeria. In addition, the hypotheses stipulate that educational level influenced the acceptability of public flogging as a methamphetamine deterrent with human rights concerns. The study concludes that preventing methamphetamine misuse can be accomplished by creating job opportunities for young people and rehabilitating users.
{"title":"Methamphetamine (Mkpuru-Mmiri) prevalence in Southeastern Nigeria: Exploring peoples' perception of public flogging as a control measure","authors":"Nwangwu Chukwunwike Nnanna, Samuel O. Okpan, A. N. Roberts, Emeka Nwosuji, C. Ayuk, Ifeoma Louisa Eze, Leonard U. Ngwu, Uchenna Martha Ogbuke","doi":"10.4314/ajdas.v21i1-2.7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajdas.v21i1-2.7","url":null,"abstract":"This study investigated the peoples' perception of public flogging as a control measure for methamphetamine (Mkpuru-Mmiri) use among youth in Southeastern Nigeria. The study adopted mixed methods. The questionnaire comprised (12) items administered to a sample size of 1055 through the online mediated platform – Google Forms, while the qualitative data were collected from (12) participants via face-to-face interviews. The quantitative data were processed using SPSS version 20.0 and displayed in descriptive statistics. The hypothesis was tested using the Mann-Whitney U test. The NVivo 10 software was used to analyze the qualitative data thematically. The study revealed that the practice seems to have been accepted as a social control measure for drug misuse in Southeast Nigeria. In addition, the hypotheses stipulate that educational level influenced the acceptability of public flogging as a methamphetamine deterrent with human rights concerns. The study concludes that preventing methamphetamine misuse can be accomplished by creating job opportunities for young people and rehabilitating users.","PeriodicalId":39196,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43988390","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
F. Vigna-Taglianti, Marta Alesina, L. Donati, Ifeoma Nneka Emelurumonye, E. Mehanović, A. Ibanga, J. Pwajok, Glen Prichard, P. van der Kreeft, H. Virk, Unplugged Nigeria Coordination Group
Process evaluation can improve the quality of program implementation and the achievement of program outcomes. This paper aims to describe the fidelity of implementation of the school-based prevention program 'Unplugged' in Nigeria, i.e., the degree to which the intervention was delivered as intended, and the satisfaction of teachers and students. The program aims to prevent tobacco, alcohol, and substance use and consists of 12 standardized units, one-hour each, delivered by class teachers. Sixteen schools implemented the program. Eleven schools, 33 classes, 27 teachers, 993 students provided process evaluation data. Eighty-two percent of classes implemented the entire program, with lower rates of activities implementation at the beginning and at the end of the program. Each unit took on average 55 minutes. More than 90% of teachers perceived high students' interest for units 1, 4, 5, 8, and 9, high interactivity for units 1, 2, 8, and 9, and declared high comfort in implementing most units. About 80% of teachers reported an improvement in knowledge, teaching skills, and relationships with students due to the program. More than 75% of students declared the program changed their way of seeing themselves, was helpful to answer questions about themselves, and improved their relationships with mates and teachers. About 95% of students reported an increase in knowledge of the consequences of substance use. Students declared Unplugged educative, informative, helpful, impacting on change, interesting and suggested the program should be spread to other schools.
{"title":"Implementation of the “unplugged” school-based prevention programme in Nigeria: Results of process evaluation","authors":"F. Vigna-Taglianti, Marta Alesina, L. Donati, Ifeoma Nneka Emelurumonye, E. Mehanović, A. Ibanga, J. Pwajok, Glen Prichard, P. van der Kreeft, H. Virk, Unplugged Nigeria Coordination Group","doi":"10.4314/ajdas.v21i1-2.6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajdas.v21i1-2.6","url":null,"abstract":"Process evaluation can improve the quality of program implementation and the achievement of program outcomes. This paper aims to describe the fidelity of implementation of the school-based prevention program 'Unplugged' in Nigeria, i.e., the degree to which the intervention was delivered as intended, and the satisfaction of teachers and students. The program aims to prevent tobacco, alcohol, and substance use and consists of 12 standardized units, one-hour each, delivered by class teachers. Sixteen schools implemented the program. Eleven schools, 33 classes, 27 teachers, 993 students provided process evaluation data. Eighty-two percent of classes implemented the entire program, with lower rates of activities implementation at the beginning and at the end of the program. Each unit took on average 55 minutes. More than 90% of teachers perceived high students' interest for units 1, 4, 5, 8, and 9, high interactivity for units 1, 2, 8, and 9, and declared high comfort in implementing most units. About 80% of teachers reported an improvement in knowledge, teaching skills, and relationships with students due to the program. More than 75% of students declared the program changed their way of seeing themselves, was helpful to answer questions about themselves, and improved their relationships with mates and teachers. About 95% of students reported an increase in knowledge of the consequences of substance use. Students declared Unplugged educative, informative, helpful, impacting on change, interesting and suggested the program should be spread to other schools.","PeriodicalId":39196,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43411427","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ubong Evans Abraham, Olusoga Tasiru Shittu, Hussein Abdulkareem Bibire, O. O. Oluwafemi
There is an illicit drug/substance abuse problem in Nigeria, especially among youths. This morphed when cadets of the Nigeria Police Academy were arrested by the drug law enforcement agency for having illicit drugs. This spurred our study's objectives. Using an interpretative phenomenological approach, police cadets identified, through snowball sampling technique, to be involved in illicit drug/substance abuse were interviewed on causes of drug/substance abuse among cadets; accessibility to illicit drugs; perceptions on the effectiveness of punitive measures; effects on academic performance, police training, and interpersonal relationship. Findings are discussed in line with extant literature and inferences indicate the important need for a robust drug/substance use screening exercise for entrants into the Academy. Advocacy is made for the engagement of preventive measures which focus more on dissuading this behaviour through counselling and educational enlightenment initiatives.
{"title":"Exploring the substance abuse problem in a police academy in Nigeria: Implications for its cadets and authority","authors":"Ubong Evans Abraham, Olusoga Tasiru Shittu, Hussein Abdulkareem Bibire, O. O. Oluwafemi","doi":"10.4314/ajdas.v21i1-2.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajdas.v21i1-2.2","url":null,"abstract":"There is an illicit drug/substance abuse problem in Nigeria, especially among youths. This morphed when cadets of the Nigeria Police Academy were arrested by the drug law enforcement agency for having illicit drugs. This spurred our study's objectives. Using an interpretative phenomenological approach, police cadets identified, through snowball sampling technique, to be involved in illicit drug/substance abuse were interviewed on causes of drug/substance abuse among cadets; accessibility to illicit drugs; perceptions on the effectiveness of punitive measures; effects on academic performance, police training, and interpersonal relationship. Findings are discussed in line with extant literature and inferences indicate the important need for a robust drug/substance use screening exercise for entrants into the Academy. Advocacy is made for the engagement of preventive measures which focus more on dissuading this behaviour through counselling and educational enlightenment initiatives.","PeriodicalId":39196,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49322104","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Worldwide, cannabis is the most commonly used drug after tobacco and alcohol, especially among young adults. In Africa, cannabis use is often associated with mental health problems. However, few studies have been conducted to assess which mental health problems are linked to cannabis use, particularly among young adults. This study examined the prevalence, distribution and risks of cannabis use attributed to generalised anxiety disorders. Data from 615 young adults (Mean age = 22.15, ±2.55, 18 – 25; 60.2% female) were used to compute the prevalence and distribution of cannabis use and binary logistic regression models fitted to quantify the risk of using cannabis attributed to different levels of anxiety severity. Of the 615 respondents, 13.8%, 20.4% and 31.7% reported using cannabis in the past month, the past year and lifetime, respectively. Similarly, 11.2% were hazardous users and 5.2% had possible cannabis use disorders. The odds of using cannabis varied with the severity of anxiety symptoms. Compared to those with minimal anxiety problems, the risks of using cannabis ranged from 2.61 (95% Confidence Intervals (CI) 1.65-4.93) to 3.72 (95% CI: 2.10-6.61) for mild anxiety and from 3.68 (95% CI: 2.08 – 6.98) to 6.32 (95% CI: 2.40-16.64) for severe anxiety. Interventions to reduce cannabis use and its concomitant long-term negative consequences should target reducing anxiety problems among young adults. Practitioners should prioritise mental health literacy and programmes such as relaxation techniques and guided selfhelp interventions, which are known to be cheap, effective, and efficient in alleviating anxiety problems.
{"title":"Prevalence, Distribution and Attributable Risks of Cannabis Use in Young Adults with Generalised Anxiety Disorder at a University in Botswana","authors":"K. Amone-P’Olak, B. Omech","doi":"10.4314/ajdas.v20i2.4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajdas.v20i2.4","url":null,"abstract":"Worldwide, cannabis is the most commonly used drug after tobacco and alcohol, especially among young adults. In Africa, cannabis use is often associated with mental health problems. However, few studies have been conducted to assess which mental health problems are linked to cannabis use, particularly among young adults. This study examined the prevalence, distribution and risks of cannabis use attributed to generalised anxiety disorders. Data from 615 young adults (Mean age = 22.15, ±2.55, 18 – 25; 60.2% female) were used to compute the prevalence and distribution of cannabis use and binary logistic regression models fitted to quantify the risk of using cannabis attributed to different levels of anxiety severity. Of the 615 respondents, 13.8%, 20.4% and 31.7% reported using cannabis in the past month, the past year and lifetime, respectively. Similarly, 11.2% were hazardous users and 5.2% had possible cannabis use disorders. The odds of using cannabis varied with the severity of anxiety symptoms. Compared to those with minimal anxiety problems, the risks of using cannabis ranged from 2.61 (95% Confidence Intervals (CI) 1.65-4.93) to 3.72 (95% CI: 2.10-6.61) for mild anxiety and from 3.68 (95% CI: 2.08 – 6.98) to 6.32 (95% CI: 2.40-16.64) for severe anxiety. Interventions to reduce cannabis use and its concomitant long-term negative consequences should target reducing anxiety problems among young adults. Practitioners should prioritise mental health literacy and programmes such as relaxation techniques and guided selfhelp interventions, which are known to be cheap, effective, and efficient in alleviating anxiety problems.","PeriodicalId":39196,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45559049","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Orfega Zwawua, Rohani Ismail, Mohd Yasin Mohd Azhar, N. M. Noor, Targema Iorvaa
There are indications that the practices or behaviour involving tramadol use have not been measured with valid and reliable tools in the past. A scale that can be used to identify tramadol abuse practices in both clinical and non-clinical settings would be useful for possible intervention efforts. The objective of this study was, therefore, to develop and validate a scale to measure tramadol abuse. The scale items were sourced from the literature and outcomes from focus group discussions (FGDs) with 16 longterm tramadol users who were screened with Q-cup urine drug test kit (Q-CUDTK). Six experts and 30 long-term tramadol users were engaged for content and face validations of the items respectively. For construct validation, 180 tramadol users participated. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was applied to identify the underlying factor structure of the scale and Cronbach’s alpha was computed for the scale internal consistency. Two items failed to meet the I-CVI (item-content validity index) cut-off point (I-CVIs < 0.83) and were deleted leaving 18 items with the S-CVI (scale-validity index) of 0.93. Three more items were deleted for having factor loadings below 0.50 leaving 15 items. The EFA resulted in the extraction of three factors: frequency of use (7 items), intensity of use (5 items) and pattern of use (3 items) with the reliability coefficients of 0.95, 0.96 and 0.89 respectively. We named this scale ‘Tram-BEHAV’ because it can be used to identify tramadol abuse behaviour for possible intervention. It can also be used for the evaluation of tramadol abuse intervention programmes.
{"title":"Development and Psychometric Validation of a Scale for Measurement of Tramadol Abuse","authors":"Orfega Zwawua, Rohani Ismail, Mohd Yasin Mohd Azhar, N. M. Noor, Targema Iorvaa","doi":"10.4314/ajdas.v20i2.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajdas.v20i2.2","url":null,"abstract":"There are indications that the practices or behaviour involving tramadol use have not been measured with valid and reliable tools in the past. A scale that can be used to identify tramadol abuse practices in both clinical and non-clinical settings would be useful for possible intervention efforts. The objective of this study was, therefore, to develop and validate a scale to measure tramadol abuse. The scale items were sourced from the literature and outcomes from focus group discussions (FGDs) with 16 longterm tramadol users who were screened with Q-cup urine drug test kit (Q-CUDTK). Six experts and 30 long-term tramadol users were engaged for content and face validations of the items respectively. For construct validation, 180 tramadol users participated. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was applied to identify the underlying factor structure of the scale and Cronbach’s alpha was computed for the scale internal consistency. Two items failed to meet the I-CVI (item-content validity index) cut-off point (I-CVIs < 0.83) and were deleted leaving 18 items with the S-CVI (scale-validity index) of 0.93. Three more items were deleted for having factor loadings below 0.50 leaving 15 items. The EFA resulted in the extraction of three factors: frequency of use (7 items), intensity of use (5 items) and pattern of use (3 items) with the reliability coefficients of 0.95, 0.96 and 0.89 respectively. We named this scale ‘Tram-BEHAV’ because it can be used to identify tramadol abuse behaviour for possible intervention. It can also be used for the evaluation of tramadol abuse intervention programmes. ","PeriodicalId":39196,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44358400","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
C. Parry, P. Trangenstein, J. Erasmus, A. Diedericks, Nadine Harker
This manuscript describes a process to develop a set of indicators to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Western Cape Alcohol-Related Harms Reduction (AHR) White Paper in South Africa and provide a final set of indicators. Drawing on the framework in Andréasson et al. (2009), a logic model with categories and types of indicators (i.e. prevention, determinants, consumption, and alcohol-related harms) was used to develop an initial set of 255 indicators. The methodological process followed involved a) scoping of a large electronic database maintained by the South African Medical Research Council, b) a comprehensive literature review and, c) reaching out to18 international key informants. Iterative communications with stakeholders from diverse government entities via email, telephone calls and individual and multi-person face-to-face meetings, together with a consensus process involving the study team was used to refine the indicators. The final set included 176 indicators; 108, (61.4%) of these were “core” indicators, and 68 (38.6%) were “expanded” indicators, meaning they added to the core indicators in given areas which would be useful to have but are of a lower priority or are likely to be less easy to obtain. Of the core indicators, 45 (42.4%) were deemed by policy makers/researchers in the Premier’s office as “high-level indicators,” denoting that they were the most essential. This manuscript demonstrates that it is possible to develop evidence-based, location-specific indicators to evaluate policy implementation.
{"title":"Developing Indicators to Measure the Implementation of the Western Cape Alcohol Harms Reduction Strategy in South Africa","authors":"C. Parry, P. Trangenstein, J. Erasmus, A. Diedericks, Nadine Harker","doi":"10.4314/ajdas.v20i2.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajdas.v20i2.1","url":null,"abstract":"This manuscript describes a process to develop a set of indicators to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Western Cape Alcohol-Related Harms Reduction (AHR) White Paper in South Africa and provide a final set of indicators. Drawing on the framework in Andréasson et al. (2009), a logic model with categories and types of indicators (i.e. prevention, determinants, consumption, and alcohol-related harms) was used to develop an initial set of 255 indicators. The methodological process followed involved a) scoping of a large electronic database maintained by the South African Medical Research Council, b) a comprehensive literature review and, c) reaching out to18 international key informants. Iterative communications with stakeholders from diverse government entities via email, telephone calls and individual and multi-person face-to-face meetings, together with a consensus process involving the study team was used to refine the indicators. The final set included 176 indicators; 108, (61.4%) of these were “core” indicators, and 68 (38.6%) were “expanded” indicators, meaning they added to the core indicators in given areas which would be useful to have but are of a lower priority or are likely to be less easy to obtain. Of the core indicators, 45 (42.4%) were deemed by policy makers/researchers in the Premier’s office as “high-level indicators,” denoting that they were the most essential. This manuscript demonstrates that it is possible to develop evidence-based, location-specific indicators to evaluate policy implementation.","PeriodicalId":39196,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41699067","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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