Correlates of substance use and dependence among internally displaced persons in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Background: Internally displaced persons (IDPs) are frequently subjected to traumatic events, making them vulnerable to using substances. This study explores predictors and types of substances used by IDPs, prevalence of substance dependence, and reasons for substance use. Methods: Cross-sectional s...

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Main Authors: Aluh, D.O., Okoro, R.N., Aigbogun, Osaro
Format: Journal Article
Published: 2023
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/93115
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author Aluh, D.O.
Okoro, R.N.
Aigbogun, Osaro
author_facet Aluh, D.O.
Okoro, R.N.
Aigbogun, Osaro
author_sort Aluh, D.O.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Background: Internally displaced persons (IDPs) are frequently subjected to traumatic events, making them vulnerable to using substances. This study explores predictors and types of substances used by IDPs, prevalence of substance dependence, and reasons for substance use. Methods: Cross-sectional survey data were obtained from 520 IDPs living in camps located in Borno State, Nigeria. The Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) was adapted and administered to the participants. IBM SPSS was used to conduct univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses. Results: More than half (66.2%, n = 344) of the survey participants used at least one substance while a third of them (31.2%, n = 162) used more than one substance. About one in ten respondents met the instrument cut-off for dependence. The most popular substance used was Kolanut (46.5%, n = 242). Popular reasons for substance use were availability of substance, influence from others, and having a disease condition. Education, marital status, employment, and number of substances used were significantly associated with substance dependence. Conclusions: A high prevalence of substance use was found among the IDPs. The study highlights the need for intervention in the substance use problem affecting this vulnerable population.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-931152023-09-19T01:19:31Z Correlates of substance use and dependence among internally displaced persons in Maiduguri, Nigeria Aluh, D.O. Okoro, R.N. Aigbogun, Osaro Background: Internally displaced persons (IDPs) are frequently subjected to traumatic events, making them vulnerable to using substances. This study explores predictors and types of substances used by IDPs, prevalence of substance dependence, and reasons for substance use. Methods: Cross-sectional survey data were obtained from 520 IDPs living in camps located in Borno State, Nigeria. The Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) was adapted and administered to the participants. IBM SPSS was used to conduct univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses. Results: More than half (66.2%, n = 344) of the survey participants used at least one substance while a third of them (31.2%, n = 162) used more than one substance. About one in ten respondents met the instrument cut-off for dependence. The most popular substance used was Kolanut (46.5%, n = 242). Popular reasons for substance use were availability of substance, influence from others, and having a disease condition. Education, marital status, employment, and number of substances used were significantly associated with substance dependence. Conclusions: A high prevalence of substance use was found among the IDPs. The study highlights the need for intervention in the substance use problem affecting this vulnerable population. 2023 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/93115 10.1080/14659891.2023.2213758 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ fulltext
spellingShingle Aluh, D.O.
Okoro, R.N.
Aigbogun, Osaro
Correlates of substance use and dependence among internally displaced persons in Maiduguri, Nigeria
title Correlates of substance use and dependence among internally displaced persons in Maiduguri, Nigeria
title_full Correlates of substance use and dependence among internally displaced persons in Maiduguri, Nigeria
title_fullStr Correlates of substance use and dependence among internally displaced persons in Maiduguri, Nigeria
title_full_unstemmed Correlates of substance use and dependence among internally displaced persons in Maiduguri, Nigeria
title_short Correlates of substance use and dependence among internally displaced persons in Maiduguri, Nigeria
title_sort correlates of substance use and dependence among internally displaced persons in maiduguri, nigeria
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/93115