Drug abuse constitutes a global health and social problems and cut across socioeconomic, cultural, religious and ethnic boundaries with conditions and problems that vary locally. Many communities are affected by drug abuse directly or indirectly. While the right use of drug is paramount to health, its abuse brings about detrimental effects. The pattern of drug abuse varies from a region to another. The knowledge of the prevalence of drug abuse and establishing the pattern peculiar to a region will help alleviate its burden on the society.The study was carried out among patients attending psychiatric clinic in Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, Benue State to determine the prevalence of drug abuse in the population. A cross-sectional retrospective study in which a structured proforma was used to extract the socio-demographic, clinical and drug-related data from the medical folders of 127 patients that attended the clinic. Data analysis was done with statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 25.The prevalence of drug abuse was 25.2% and high among ages 20-39 years. Common drugs of abuse were Cannabis 68.8%, Alcohol 65.6%, Tramadol 46.9%, Cigarette 40.6%, Codeine 12.5%, Cocaine 3.1%, Gum 3.1% and Ecstasy 3.1%. Cannabis and alcohol were the substance abused most. The age at onset of substance abuse was between 14 and 19 years. 68.8% used more than one substance. The common physical and behavioral signs at presentation were physical aggression 59.4%, restlessness 56.3%, violence 53.1% and poor sleep 46.9%.The prevalence of drug abuse is high among adolescents and young adult.Recommendations include; strategic education of adolescents to increase awareness about harmful effects of substance abuse, empowerment and redirection of youth towards upright living, strict enforcement of laws and regulation of drug use.
Plants have been used locally and traditionally in the treatment and management of some ailments. The use of medicinal plants is in combination with the several cultural beliefs and traditional practices and has a long history in therapeutic success because many drugs used clinically today are developed directly or indirectly from plants. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are sets of venerable diseases that are rampant in Nigeria contributing to its high morbidity and mortality rate. Ethnobotanical studies of the available local medicinal plants used for the management of STDs will lead to the discovery of better antimicrobials to treat STDs. The ethnobotanical survey of plants used in treatment of Sexually transmitted diseases was carried out in Ibadan city. The study was aimed at documenting the use of traditional medicines in treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among the people of Ibadan. The specific areas of study were Bode Market in Ibadan South East Local Government Area, Oje Market in Ibadan North East Local Government Area and Olunde area in Oluyole Local Government Area. The respondents interviewed included herb sellers, herbalist and herbal therapists. A well-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from them and communication was done verbally in Yoruba. Medicinal plants recommended were collected and taken to Forestry Research institute of Nigeria (FRIN) in Jericho, Ibadan for proper Identification. From the survey, 52 Species of plants representing 34 families were reported by 80 traditional medicine practitioners as remedies for treating Sexually transmitted diseases. The families that were highly used include Anacardiaceae, Fabaceae and Cucurbitaceae. The plants commonly used were Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad, Plumbago zeylanica L., Citrus aurantifolia Christm., Mangifera indica L., Senna alata L. Roxb, Erythropleum suaveolens (Guill. & Perr.) Brenan and Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel. The plant Citrullus colocynthis had the highest frequency of use. The high frequency of use of these plants suggests their efficacy and potency against Sexually transmitted disease. The further analysis of these plants can help to develop new, effective therapeutic medicinal drugs (antimicrobials) that would be useful to control Sexually transmitted diseases thereby reducing their morbidity and mortality impact on Global health.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.