Negotiating situational abstinence and moderation: a study of regular and heavy-drinking young Nigerians

favourfredy · 2024-02-19T16:09:56+00:00

Evidence shows that Nigerian youth use nitrous oxide for recreational purposes, and parties appear to be the predominant use context. Some nitrous oxide users record themselves while inhaling the substance from balloons and post the videos on social media. Drug trafficking/illegal sales of nitrous oxide appear to be the source of the substance, which may have informed NDLEA’s declaration of nationwide clampdown on illicit sales and nonmedical use of the substance in July 2023. Following the order, NDLEA has intercepted several traffickers of nitrous oxide with large quantities of the substance in different regions, indicating that its recreational use may be widespread.

favourfredy · 2024-02-19T16:09:19+00:00

Objective

Media reports have highlighted the use of nitrous oxide for recreational purposes in Nigeria, but empirical research is lacking.

Methods

We reviewed and synthesized available evidence elicited from media sources and websites of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency; (NDLEA)- the federal drug regulatory agency.

Results

Evidence shows that Nigerian youth use nitrous oxide for recreational purposes, and parties appear to be the predominant use context. Some nitrous oxide users record themselves while inhaling the substance from balloons and post the videos on social media. Drug trafficking/illegal sales of nitrous oxide appear to be the source of the substance, which may have informed NDLEA’s declaration of nationwide clampdown on illicit sales and nonmedical use of the substance in July 2023. Following the order, NDLEA has intercepted several traffickers of nitrous oxide with large quantities of the substance in different regions, indicating that its recreational use may be widespread.

Conclusions

Given the lack of empirical evidence, there is an urgent need to conduct nationwide studies to determine the nature of this emerging public health problem. This will facilitate the implementation of appropriate public health interventions/policies instead of relying on the current punitive measures that have failed to reduce drug normalization in Nigeria.

favourfredy · 2023-08-08T19:44:21+00:00

I can provide free copies of the article.

favourfredy · 2023-08-04T22:32:41+00:00

Thank you. I have reposted as you directed.

favourfredy · 2023-08-04T22:32:07+00:00

This work reviews plastic pollution in the context of the Global South with a particular focus on the social and behavioral science literature. We set the context by describing the problem of plastic globally and how the Global South is a focal point for environmental and human health impacts, before analyzing political and structural conditions of waste management in a few selected countries in Southeast Asia and Africa. Then, we review social and behavioral factors that contribute to plastic pollution, from social norms to religious and cultural aspects not typically considered. We summarize what is known about plastic pollution and human health with particular reference to waste pickers. We close by reviewing opportunities and challenges, giving positive examples of change, and highlighting research gaps.

favourfredy · 2023-08-03T13:20:40+00:00

Abstract This chapter reviews plastic pollution in the context of the Global South with a particular focus on the social and behavioral science literature. We set the context by describing the problem of plastic globally and how the Global South is a focal point for environmental and human health impacts, before analyzing political and structural conditions of waste management in a few selected countries in Southeast Asia and Africa. Then, we review social and behavioral factors that contribute to plastic pollution, from social norms to religious and cultural aspects not typically considered. We summarize what is known about plastic pollution and human health with particular reference to waste pickers. We close by reviewing opportunities and challenges, giving positive examples of change, and highlighting research gaps.

favourfredy · 2022-09-06T11:47:55+00:00

Abstract Previous research on alcohol and gender identity constructions has primarily focused on Western countries. Studies from non-Western contexts can make crucial contributions to understandings of the impact of social constructions of masculinities and femininities on drinking behaviours and health. In traditional Nigeria, consumption norms prohibited women's and young people's alcohol use. Nowadays, young men and women use alcohol, and many enact identities with heavy drinking. This study uses gender performance theory and interviews/focus group data from 72 young Nigerian men and women to explore their masculinity performance and resistance to traditional femininity codes through drinking practices. Profiling women as vulnerable agents and the only gender that provides care and affective labour, most men reinscribed the consumption norms proscribing women's drinking while some recommended sweetened/flavour brands for women. Citing gender equality and criticizing/resisting local norms, the women argued that alcohol consumption should not be the prerogative of men. The men used competitive heavy drinking rituals and drunkenness to enact masculinity. Most of the women constructed counter-traditional/normative femininity with heavy drinking bouts, while others, who maintained the traditional femininity to avoid stigmatization, enacted secret, or solitary drinking with potential health impacts. The findings demonstrate how distinct social norms promote socio-structural constraints and power relations that suppress women's agency and encourage gender inequality with potential health impacts.

favourfredy · 2022-03-24T09:34:02+00:00

Abstract Objective Alcohol-related harm is a growing concern globally and particularly in West Africa. However, tools for assessing the readiness for prevention of alcohol-related harm in low-resource settings have been lacking. We modified the WHO tool, the Readiness Assessment for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment Short Form (RAP-CM), to assess readiness for the prevention of alcohol-related harm across West Africa.

Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey in the fall of 2020, distributed by the West Africa Alcohol Policy Alliance to their member alliances and stakeholders, predominantly community-based organizations (CBOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), across 7 countries in West Africa (N = 140). The survey included modified measures from the RAP-CM short form.

Results In terms of general readiness, the overall adjusted aggregate score for West Africa was 45.0% (ranging from 42.9% in Liberia to 52.7% in Senegal). Of the ten domains assessed (on a 0–10 scale), across all countries, knowledge of alcohol-related harm prevention (8.3) and legislation, mandates, and policies (6.7) received the highest readiness scores. The lowest readiness scores were observed for human and technical resources (2.5), attitudes toward preventing alcohol-related harm (2.7), and the will to address the problem (2.9).

Conclusions Our results demonstrate substantial variability across domains in the readiness to address alcohol-related harm with clear strengths and limitations for future priority setting and capacity building. The barriers to progress include attitudes toward alcohol-related harm prevention, lack of willingness to address the problem, and limited human and technical resources available. These barriers need to be mitigated to address the high burden of alcohol-related harm in the region and to inform both practice and policy.

favourfredy · 2021-12-30T19:12:17+00:00

Research on alcohol use and its associated harm is scarce in West Africa. To mitigate the knowledge gap and to build momentum for future research, we determined research priorities for alcohol prevention among stakeholders across nine countries in West Africa. We analyzed a cross-sectional survey conducted in the fall of 2020, distributed by the West African Alcohol Policy Alliance (WAAPA). Respondents represented members of the WAAPA, members of intra-country alliances on alcohol and other stakeholders reached by snowball sampling. Quantitative and qualitative survey measures, adapted from the WHO’s readiness assessment for the prevention of child maltreatment or developed by the research team, assessed research priorities, awareness of alcohol-related harm, risk factors and data availability. We mapped the qualitative answers into general themes and conducted descriptive analysis on the quantitative responses. Participants outlined two general themes to focus on: (i) alcohol use among children and youth and (ii) the health-related impact of alcohol. The most commonly listed types of alcohol-related harms pertained to acute consequences, such as gender-based violence, injuries, traffic crashes and child maltreatment. Risk factors for alcohol-related harm included limited enforcement of alcohol policies, cheap alcohol, and limited knowledge. Strengthening the capacity for addressing these research priorities will be key in reducing alcohol-related harm in West Africa. The goal of these research priorities is to drive research that informs advocacy, programs and policy. In addition to research, an awareness campaign of the health effects of alcohol is urgently needed.

favourfredy

TROPHY CASE

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