Exploring Factors Influencing Substance Abuse among Young Individuals Receiving Treatment for Substance use Disorder in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Nigeria is currently witnessing an alarming increase in the rate of substance use and abuse among the youths and emerging adults. The disturbing phenomenon, undoubtedly constitute great threat to the entire society. Understanding the predisposing and perpetuating factors to substance abuse is crucial in stemming the tides of this menace. The present study is hospital-based aimed to explore factors influencing substance abuse among young individuals receiving treatment for substance use disorder in a tertiary hospital in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. Exploratory study was conducted among young individuals receiving treatment for substance use disorder in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. Twenty (20) purposively selected young adults (12 males, 8 females) receiving treatment for substance use disorder at Bowen University Teaching Hospital Ogbomoso, participated in three focus group discussions (male, female, and a mixed-gender groups), while two individuals were involved in separate in-depth interviews. Seven key themes (curiosity, peer pressure, enhance performance, boost self-esteem, cope with unpleasant emotions, frustration, and get high) emerged from the focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. It was concluded that the factors identified in this study should guide substance use disorder treatment development and implementation for improved outcome in Nigeria

Efficacy of compassion-focused therapy in a sample of youth with substance use disorder in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

The problem of substance use disorder among the young population in recent times remains a significant threat to the psychosocial  and economic fabrics of the entire society, despite several efforts channelled towards its amelioration. The present study investigated the efficacy of compassion-focused therapy on substance use disorder among youth in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. This pre-test post-test control group experimental study compared a compassion-focused therapy (CFT) plus treatment-as-usual (TAU) to TAU-alone in 20 young individuals with substance use disorder. Participants were purposively selected and randomly assigned to treatment (CFT+TAU) and comparison (TAU-alone) groups. Participants’ mean age was 21.08±1.86 years. Assessments occurred at intake, 10-weeks, and 1-month follow-up with a standardized questionnaire. Independent-sample t-test, 2x2 analysis of covariance and one-way repeated  measure of ANOVA were used for analyses at 0.05 significant level. Individuals in the CFT+TAU group reported significantly lower substance use disorder symptoms compared to those in the TAU-alone group. There was an overall significant difference between the SUD means of participants that received CFT+TAU at pre-test, post-test, and 1-month follow-up. CFT provide effective treatment of substance use disorder among Nigerian population; its utilization is therefore recommended. Keywords: Compassion-focused therapy, substance use disorder, youth, Nigeri

Prevalence, Patterns and Cognitive Barriers to HIV Disclosure Intention Among Treatment-Seeking People Living with HIV

Background: Globally, the patterns, prevalence and cognitive barriers to Human-Immunodeficiency-Virus and Acquired-Immune-Deficiency-Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) disclosure among individuals diagnosed with HIV have continually been a source of concern, especially in developing countries. This been widely linked to most persistent problems thwarting the effort of authorities saddled with responsibilities of curbing the menace of HIV/AIDS in Africa at large. The unabated issues have been a primary global health concern. Methods: The study was carried out in the Heart to Heart (H2H) unit of Hematology Department of the Ondo State Teaching Hospital, Akure, Ondo State. The study incorporated a blend of a quantitative method (to explore the prevalence of disclosure and its socio-demographic prevalence) and qualitative method (to explore cognitive barriers to self-disclosure of HIV positive status. The quantitative data was gathered from three hundred and ninety (n=390) PLWHA and the qualitative data was gathered from nineteen (n=19) PLHIV. Results: The prevalence of low-disclosure intention among treatment-seeking people living with HIV/AIDS was pegged at 64.6%. Approximately 70% of the males and 60% of the females are not likely to disclose their HIV positive status. 65% of the PLHIV from monogamy family structure are not likely to disclose their HIV positive status. Anticipated stigmatization, disclosure self-efficacy, mood problems, health locus of control were identified as the major cognitive barriers to disclosure of HIV positive status. Conclusion: The study further concludes that anticipated stigmatization, disclosure efficacy, manifested mood problems (anxiety and depressive symptoms), and health locus of control were the implicated cognitive barriers to disclosure among a hospital-based PLHIV. The outcome was similarly Furthermore, the study revealed that the target of disclosure was major to secondary circle i.e. parents and siblings and not towards the primary circle, such as; spouse/girlfriend/boyfriend, children. Implications and recommendations were further discussed.

Psychosocial Predictors of Drug Involvement Among Secondary School Students

Predictors of drug involvement among secondary school students in Ibadan were examined in this study. Two hundred and four (204) students comprising 113 males and 91 females, whose age ranged between 13 and 25 years (M = 16.32, S.D. = 1.81) participatedin the study. Data collected with a structured questionnaire were subjected to independent sample t-test, and regression analysis. Psychosocial factors (life purpose, need for achievement and self-esteem) significantly predicted drug abuse [F (6, 113) = 7.75; p < .01, R2 = .29]. Participants with low score on life purpose reported higher substanceabuse than those with high score on life purpose, t (161) = 2.62, p <.05 ; those with low score on the need for achievement reported higher substance abuse than those with high score on the need for achievement, t (162) = 4.09, p < .01 ; those with low score on the need for achievement reported higher substance abuse than those with high scoreon the need for achievement t (162) = 2.62, p <.05; female participants reported higher substance abuse than male counterparts, t (176) = - 4.05, p <.01). In conclusion, it is expedient that efforts be intensified on actions that will reawaken the strive for excellence and sense of self worth through engagement in self development activities, thereby minimizingthe prevalence of substance abuse among Nigerian youths

Impact of Religiosity and Life Orientation on Attitude of Youths towards Suicide in Lagos, Nigeria: A Religious-Community Based Study

Suicidal behavior is a growing public health problem in Nigeria. More disturbing is the recent rise in reports of suicide cases involving youths. Attitude towards suicide remains one of the strongest indicators of suicide. There is however, paucity of studies addressing this phenomenon among Nigerian young population. The present study therefore investigated the predictive impact of religiosity and life orientation on attitude towards suicide among youths in Lagos, Nigeria. A correlational design was utilized. Four hundred purposively selected young individuals from Christian and Muslim communities comprising of 220 males and 180 females whose ages ranged between 14 and 31 years participated in the study. A structured questionnaire consisting of demographic information, Religious Activity Scale (RAS), Life Orientation Test Revised (LOT-R) and Attitude towards Suicide Scale (ATTS) was utilized for data collection. Descriptive statistics and independent sample t-test were used to test the hypotheses using SPSS (v. 20). We found a significant gender difference on attitude towards suicide among the participants (t (398) = 25.83; p < 0.01). High degree of religiosity was found as a protective factor against suicidal tendencies as individuals with high religious belief reported unfavourable attitude towards suicide. It was concluded that attitude towards suicide among Nigerian youths is closely linked with their religious belief. We recommend that practitioners implementing suicide prevention programmes should incorporate measures that are appealing to people’s religious beliefs to improve the effectiveness of their programmes. We also recommend future studies to further investigate the relationship between life orientation and suicide among youths in Nigeria

Non-medical use of pharmaceutical drugs and motivation for change among street youth in Kano, Nigeria

Non-medical use of pharmaceutical drugs among the young Nigerian population is an increasing public health concern. There is a dire need for a&nbsp; robust understanding of the problem as well as factors affecting behaviour change. This study investigated factors influencing non-medical use of pharmaceutical drugs, consequences, and motivation to stop use among street youth in Kano, Nigeria. Twenty-nine street youth selected through the snowballing sampling technique were involved in focus group discussions. Participants aged between 18 and 29 years. Sensation seeking, mood-altering, confidence, and energy boost were upheld as the major reasons for drug use; while poor health outcomes, financial problems, and&nbsp; interpersonal dysfunction were the main consequences discussed by the focus group. Many of the participants indicated the intention to stop drug use but expressed concern about difficulties in accessing treatment. Preventive and psycho-social treatment measures for non-medical use of pharmaceutical drugs targeting this group should be made accessible and affordable. Keywords: motivation for change, non-medical use, pharmaceutical drugs, street yout