Socio-Demographic and Clinical Profiles of Cannabis Abusers Admitted for Treatment in a Tertiary Healthcare Facility in Uyo, South-South Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Cannabis is one of the commonly abused psychoactive substances worldwide. The increasing abuse of this psychoactive substance is recognized as a significant public health problem in many developing countries. A proper assessment of the patterns and trends of cannabis use disorders will be useful because of the increasing number of cannabis abusers worldwide and demand for appropriate treatment. Aims: This study examined the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of cannabis abusers admitted for treatment in a tertiary healthcare institution in the South-South region of Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study involving 105 subjects of cannabis abusers admitted for treatment over a one year period from August 2017 to July 2018. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were obtained from a careful chart review using a 35 item questionnaire. Diagnoses were made according to the International Classification of Disease Criteria (ICD-10). Effiong et al.; JAMPS, 22(1): 32-39, 2020; Article no.JAMPS.54278 33 Results: 105 subjects were included in this study. The mean age of patients was 29.71±8.2. The mean age of initiation of substance use was 19.05±3.0 years. Males were predominantly involved in cannabis abuse practices. The age of initiation of substance use was significantly different between the male and female subjects (t=-2.86, P=.009). The age of initiation and duration of substance use was significantly related to the risk of developing substance dependence and psychotic symptoms. Conclusion: Cannabis was commonly abused by people who were often unemployed, single, young males involved in multiple drug abuse. The low mean duration of use, multiple substance abuses together with increasing frequency of psychiatric morbidity forms a major challenge for our mental health care services. There is the need for preventive, curative, and rehabilitative strategies to reduce the public health impact of this scourge. Original Research Article

Association of Dopamine Transporter Gene (DAT1) 40 bp 3′ UTR VNTR Polymorphism (rs28363170) and Cannabis Use Disorder

“… 27 However, in a study conducted at a tertiary treatment facility for drug abusers, the mean age reported was closer to our finding. 28 The same study by Effiong et al also reported the mean age at the onset of smoking, which fell within the modal class for the age at smoking onset found in our study.…”

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“…These researchers reported that males abuse drugs due to idleness, lack of stable job and source of livelihood. This validates the assertion of Effiong et al (2020) that cannabis users are mostly unemployed single young males. The zeal to kill emotional pain; lack of confidence to say no to friends; the need to feel strong and manly among others were additional reasons why men engage in drug use.…”

“…Balogun et al (2020) though conducted in Nigeria differs from the present study in that it utilizes only descriptive but not inferential statistics in determining its results. The study however differs from Effiong et al, (2020) in the area of the focus and statistics use. While Effiong et al (2020) attentions were on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of cannabis abusers, the present study concentrate on senior school students' knowledge on drug abuse and addiction.…”

“…While Effiong et al (2020) attentions were on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of cannabis abusers, the present study concentrate on senior school students' knowledge on drug abuse and addiction. The chi-square was use in the analysis of this study as against the t-test used by Effiong et al (2020).…”