Drug-related harms among young adults in Nigeria

Implications for intervention

Dados Bibliográficos

ID3018477
AutoresEmeka Wilfred Dumbili (0000-0002-3563-1617, Institute for Therapy and Health Research (IFT-NORD), Kiel, Germany)
Ano2020
Volume30
Fascículo8
Páginas1013-1029
Data de publicação2020-11-16
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoJournal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1091-1359 • E-ISSN: 1540-3556
EditoraInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10911359.2020.1790462
OpenAlexW3081809300
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas4
Referências citadas44

Recreational cannabis use and taking codeine, tramadol, Rohypnol, and other pharmaceuticals for nonmedical purposes are some of the popular drug use practices in contemporary Nigeria. Yet, little is known on how the use of these drugs contributes to drug-related harms in the country. Using semi-structured interviews, this study explored the perceptions and actual experiences of drug-related harms among 23 young adults (23–29 years), who use cannabis, codeine, crystal meth, Rohypnol, and tramadol in a city located in Anambra State. The data were analyzed thematically using NVivo 12 software. The findings show that participants were highly aware of the adverse effects of drug use. They also shared how they and their acquaintances and friends had suffered substance-induced headaches, eating disorders, and slow psychomotor patterns. Cannabis-facilitated rapes and sexual violence against women were widespread and tramadol-induced seizures, convulsions, and deaths were also reported. Other personal substance-related problems the participants reported include persistent cough, skin rashes, hives, and substance-induced aggression/violence, sleeping disorders, hallucinations, and aging skin. These findings reveal the need to develop tailored interventions and policies that support harm reduction in Nigeria

Analgesic · Cannabis · Codeine · Drug · Ecstasy · Harm reduction · Headaches · Intervention (counseling · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Public health · Tramadol · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Nursing · Opioid Use Disorder Treatment · Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes · Pharmacology