African Journal of Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Acceptability and attitude towards use of digital interventions in substance use disorders psychosocial treatment: a study of healthcare providers at a Methadone Clinic in Kenya

Sarah Kanana Kiburi — 2024-07-13

Digital interventions have been used for psychosocial treatment in substance use disorder but there is limited research on their application in Kenya. Determining the acceptability and attitude towards use of digital intervention in substance use disorder psychosocial treatment is important. The aim of this study was to assess the acceptability and attitude of healthcare providers towards use of digital interventions for psychosocial treatment at a methadone clinic in Kenya. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out among healthcare providers. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic variables and acceptability and attitude towards use of digital interventions in substance use disorder treatment. Technology acceptance model (TAM) was used as conceptual basis for this study. Data was analyzed using SPSS whereby a descriptive analysis was conducted and Pearson’s coefficient used to assess the relationship between the TAM constructs. The data is summarized in tables, figures and a graph. Twenty-one health care providers participated comprising 76.2% females and mean age of 33 (SD 6.9) years, of which 66.7% had training in addiction and 23.8% had ever used digital intervention previously. Acceptability was high with 90.5% agreeing that psychosocial treatment can be provided through digital interventions, 80.9% reported digital intervention would improve access to treatment and 76.2% viewed a digital intervention as cost effective. Majority (76.2%) agreed that digital intervention can influence substance use and patients would benefit from the intervention. Using the technology acceptance model, perceived ease of use was associated with perceived usefulness and attitude toward using; and perceived usefulness was associated with attitude towards use. These findings show a high acceptability and positive attitude towards use of digital interventions in substance use disorder treatment among the health care providers at a methadone clinic. This can inform design and implementation of digital interventions among individuals with substance use disorders in Kenya to improve patient outcome.

A meta-analysis for understanding the role of the COMT Val158Met variant in the susceptibility to alcoholism

Deeplata Barman — 2024-07-13

The hypothesis of association between 158Met allele of catechol-omethyltransferase (COMT) gene and poor dopamine catabolism, dopamine remains prolonged for their half-time in the prefrontal cortex and gets more reward from alcohol than COMT Val158 allele, has generated much interest, research and controversy. Hence, a meta-analysis to explore possible role of COMT Val158Met variant and alcoholism has been performed. Twenty two case-control data sets containing 3602 alcoholism patients and 5183 healthy subjects genotyped for COMT Val158Met variant has been included and assessed for their association with alcoholism. Meta-analyses were conducted with the use of MetaGenyo web tool. The results of this study confirmed that the COMT Val158Met variant is not contributing to the risk of alcoholism (Dominant model: OR = 1.10 (95% CI = 0.92-1.30), I² = 49%). Subgroup analysis by ethnicity also found no association of this allele with alcoholism risk in both Asian (Dominant model: OR = 1.15 (95% CI = 0.83-1.60), I² = 43%) and Caucasian (Dominant model: OR = 1.07 (95% CI = 0.87- 1.32), I² = 54%) populations. The meta-analysis results of this study suggest no significant correlation between COMT Val158Met variant and alcoholism.

Faith-based approach in the control of substance abuse: interventional perspective of Hisbah in Northern Nigeria

Endurance Uzobo — 2024-07-13

Substance abuse has become a global problem which is being addressed as one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Target 3.5, and focused on the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, especially narcotic drug addiction, and hazardous alcohol use. In Nigeria, several efforts have been made by succeeding governments to reduce substance abuse through formal This study, therefore, examines the roles of Hisbah (an Islamic police force in Northern Nigeria tasked with upholding Shari’a law) as an informal strategy for reducing substance abuse, as well as people’s views of Hisbah’s role in the prevention and control of substance use in Kano State, Nigeria. The study’s theoretical grounding is in Emile Durkheim’s Theory of Religion and Social Control. This exploratory study employed a qualitative approach in its methods of investigation. This study recruited a total of 24 participants. These participants were made up of two (2) executives of Hisbah, three (3) Hisbah Commandants, five (5) Hisbah field personnel, seven (7) offenders, and seven (7) members of the general public. The qualitative data obtained were analyzed using narrative technique and thematic approach with the aid of Atlas ti. software. Findings from the study indicated that religious organizations such as that of the Hisbah play a significant role in the fight against substance abuse. The study recommended that religious organizations should be co-opted into mainstream government policies in the fight against drug and substance use. means. Still, the threat has persisted owing to the weak implementation of substancerelated policies and laws. Despite this, there is little empirical research on faith- based informal mechanisms of reducing the threat.

Predictors of cognitive impairment in patients with substance use disorder in Kiambu County, Kenya

Lawrence Mwihaki — 2024-07-13

Cognitive impairments induced by substance use contribute to poorer treatment outcomes among patients with substance use disorder (SUD). Neuropsychological assessments are often neglected during patient evaluation in SUD treatment programs owing to the fact that they require extensive time for evaluation and are resource intensive. This inattention is likely to compromise comprehensive treatments which would offer better prognosis for such patients undergoing treatment for SUD. The main objective of this study was to determine predictors of neuro cognitive disorders (NCD) in patients with substance use disorders enrolled in rehabilitation centers in Kiambu County, Kenya. A cross-sectional design was adopted and data collected between Oct-23 to Jan 2024, covering a total of 250 patients aged 18-65 years that consented to participate in the study. Consecutive non-probability sampling technique was deployed in the recruitment of the respondents into the study. A self-rated questionnaire was developed for data collection whereas the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Tool was employed in the screening for cognitive impairment. The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 34.8% (Prevalence per primary substance showed alcohol=37%, .cannabis=22%, and khat=22%). Age Coefficient=0.0852, P=0.013 CI= 0.018- 0.152), education (Coefficient=0.0783, P<0.008 CI= 0.021-0.139), and anxiety disorder (Coefficient=0.4286, P<0.001 CI= 0.317- .540) were found to be significantly associated with neurocognitive disorders at multivariate analysis. This shows that it is important to screen for cognitive impairments during early treatment stages considering the high prevalence rate. This will enhance the choice of treatment course and maximize on treatment outcomes.

Prevalence of relapse and associated factors in khat chewers and non-chewers among persons with serious mental illness at Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Fikreselam Habte — 2024-07-13

People with serious mental illness using llicit drug like amphetamine exhibit poorer outcomes. But until now little is known about the impact of khat on relapse of disease in people with serious mental illness. This study assessed prevalence and factors associated with relapse between khat chewers and non-chewers among persons
with serious mental illness. This was a cross sectional study involving 405 khat chewers and 400 non chewers with serious mental illness. The study was undertaken at Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital on May, 2021. Patients were selected using systematic random sampling. The study involved interview (patients and care givers) and chart review. The study used Oslo Social Support Scale; Alcohol, Smoking, Substance Involvement Screening Test and a structured questionnaire The study established that prevalence of relapse was higher among khat chewers compared to non-chewers (22% Vs 13%, p=0.001) with serious mental illness. Additionally, the prevalence of relapse was positively correlated with the amount of khat used in the group of chewers. In the khat chewer group, previous hospitalization history and presence of stressful life situation were the main factors associated with relapse. On the other hand, treatment interruption, sleep disorder and previous hospitalization episodes were the key factors associated with relapse among non khat chewing persons with serious mental illness. The study found hat khat chewing poses increased risk of relapse among persons with serious mental illness. Patient care should consider khat chewing as one of the critical components for intervention.

Self-esteem, health locus of control and resilient personality as predictors of substance abuse among in-school adolescents in Ibadan, Nigeria

David E. Okurame — 2024-07-13

Substance abuse has become a recurring issue that affects the individual, family and the society with enormous costs. The issue is more disturbing as more in-school adolescents are getting into substance abuse that is threatening the social fabric of the society. Studies have investigated several predictors of substance abuse with varied results. Therefore, this study examined selfesteem, health locus of control and resilient personality as predictors of substance abuse among in-school adolescents in Ibadan, Nigeria. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design using purposive sampling technique to select six secondary schools in Ibadan metropolis. Data were collected from 309 participants using validated questionnaires. Data collected were analyzed using t- test for independent samples and multiple regression analysis. Results indicated that self-esteem [t (307) = 7.24, p < 0.05], health locus of control [t (307) = 4.10, p < 0.05] and resilient personality [t (307) = 3.10, p < 0.05] significantly influenced substance abuse among in- school adolescents. Also, the results revealed that self- esteem, health locus of control and resilient personality jointly predicted substance abuse among study participants [R2 = 0.14, F (3, 299) = 9.37, p < 0.05]. Finally, the results showed that health locus of control (β = 0.31, p < 0.05) and resilient personality (β = 0.45, p < 0.05) independently predicted substance abuse among in- school adolescents. The study concluded that self- esteem, health locus of control and resilient personality are strong predictors of substance abuse among in- school adolescents. The study recommended that government and other stakeholders should design and implement programmes that will help to improve self-esteem, health locus of control and resiliency among in-school adolescents to reduce attraction to substance abuse.

The relationship between patterns of using internet, media literacy, alcohol consumption and drug abuse: a case of Malaysian youths

Toktam Namayandeh Joorabchi — 2024-07-13

The concerning statistics regarding alcohol consumption and substance abuse among young individuals in Malaysia necessitate endeavors to comprehend this occurrence. The aim of the current research was to ascertain the correlations between media literacy, Internet usage patterns, alcohol intake, and drug misuse among Malaysian youths. A quantitative research approach was employed to collect data from 440 students at University Putra Malaysia through a method of stratified random sampling. The findings of the investigation indicated that the association between media literacy and alcohol consumption was statistically significant (p=0.017), whereas it was deemed insignificant for drug consumption (p=0.90). Notably, no statistically significant connections were found between the two dimension of Internet usage patterns and alcohol intake (p=0.22, p=0.54) or drug use (p=0.41, p=0.48). Nevertheless, the link between Internet usage patterns and media literacy was found to be significant (p=0.00). Additionally, outcomes from the independent t-test displayed that male participants exhibited higher levels of drug and alcohol usage compared to their female counterparts (p=0.00, p=0.045). Significant mean disparities were also observed between drug consumption and gender. The outcomes of the one-way ANOVA revealed notable mean differences between ethnic groups and alcohol consumption (p=0.00), while no mean differences were identified between ethnic groups and drug usage (p=0.82). The implications of this study are also deliberated.

The role of family in the initiation and enabling of alcohol and substance abuse

Kipchumba Heather Eddah — 2024-07-13

Family is the basic unit of a nation, and the primary institution for knowledge and skill acquisition, and it further shapes individual attitudes, desires, and behavior, both in the right and negative manner. The family regarding the rising dependence on alcohol and drug abuse has not been a critical focus for empirical analysis, a gap that this study sought to fill. The study utilized secondary data sources from Kenya, sourced from the internet, particularly in journals on alcohol and drug abuse. Content analysis was adopted, and data was presented in themes. It was found that there are factors within the family that promote the initiation of alcohol and substance abuse and maintain its continuous use. These factors included different parenting styles; authoritarian, permissive, and uninvolved styles of parenting, the circumstances and conditions within the home environment, primary caregiver role modeling and any close relatives, adverse childhood experiences and in some instances, disposition from genetic makeup, that cause inter-generational alcoholism in certain families. To resolve this problem, the family should be recognized as a focal area of interventions to curb alcohol and drug abuse.

How can faith and community based organizations help scale-up the fight against early exposure to alcohol, drugs and substance abuse among the youth in Kenya

Kirwa Lelei — 2024-07-13

No abstract

Report on status of treatment and rehabilitation centres in Kenya

Kirwa Lelei — 2024-07-13

No abstract

Policy brief on youth tailor made drug prevention programs in Kenya

Kirwa Lelei — 2024-07-13

No abstract