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Cannabis use and its psychosocial correlates among school-going adolescents in Sierra Leone734.41 kB
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
Cannabis use and its psychosocial correlates among school-going adolescents in Sierra Leone
BMC public health, Vol.24, 986
08/04/2024
PMID: 38589826
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Abstract
Background
In Sierra Leone, adolescents are increasingly engaging in risky activities, including cannabis use, which can lead to substance abuse, poor academic performance, and psychotic symptoms. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of cannabis use among school-going adolescents in the country.
Method
Data for the study was sourced from the 2017 Sierra Leone Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS), a nationally representative survey conducted among adolescents aged 10-19 years using a multistage sampling methodology. A weighted sample of 1,467 adolescents in Sierra Leone was included in the study. The study utilised bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify factors linked to cannabis use, presenting results using adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.
Results
The prevalence of cannabis use was 5.1% [3.0,8.6] among school-going adolescents in Sierra Leone. School-going adolescents who attempted suicide [aOR = 6.34, 95% CI = 1.71–23.45], used amphetamine [aOR = 15.84, 95% CI = 7.94–31.62] and were involved in sexual risk behaviour [aOR = 5.56, 95% CI = 2.18–14.20] were more likely to be associated with cannabis use.
Conclusion
In Sierra Leone, a small but non-trivial minority of students use cannabis. Ever-used amphetamines or methamphetamines, suicidal attempts, and sexual risk behaviour were the factors associated with cannabis use in Sierra Leone. The development of school-based health intervention programmes is crucial to address the risk factors associated with cannabis use among school-going adolescents.
Details
- Title
- Cannabis use and its psychosocial correlates among school-going adolescents in Sierra Leone
- Creators
- Augustus Osborne - Njala University (Freetown, Sierra Leone)Peter Bai James - Southern Cross UniversityComfort Z Olorunsaiye - Arcadia UniversityCamilla Bangura - Njala University (Freetown, Sierra Leone)Aiah Lebbie - Njala University (Freetown, Sierra Leone)
- Publication Details
- BMC public health, Vol.24, 986
- Publisher
- BioMed Central Ltd.
- Identifiers
- 991013179781402368
- Copyright
- © The Author(s) 2024. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
- Academic Unit
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article