By: Mohamed Sahr
Dr. Abdul Jalloh, psychiatrist consultant and principal investigator of a community-based clustered survey has revealed a staggering data of the recent study on the Prevalence of Psychoactive Substance Use and its Associated Factors in Sierra Leone with 66% out of 16,823 participants reported using psychoactive substances.
He made this statement during his presentation on a community-based clustered survey with support from Carter Centre, AFENET, Ministry of Health, National Public Health Agency and Field Epidemiology Training Program on Friday 6th December 2024 at the Hub Hotel in Freetown.
Dr. Jalloh said in order to tackle the challenges of the prevalence of psychoactive substance used and its associated factors in Sierra Leone, the Carter Centre in partnership with the African Field Epidemiology Network funded the Ministry of Health and the NPHA to conduct a nationwide survey assessing the burden of psychoactive substance use, mental health conditions, and associated factors in Sierra Leone.
Adding that the survey was executed to evaluate drug use rates within the country and identify contributing factors. “This research was undertaken to guide interventions and develop effective policies to combat substance misuse,” Dr. Jalloh said.
He stated that the study employs a conceptual framework grounded in prior research, focusing on socio-demographic individual, environmental and familial factors influencing substance abuse.
Dr. Jalloh said the results of the study captured a total of 16,823 participants, who were interviewed. Emphasizing that 60% were made and 30% age between 25 and 42 years. “Of all the participants, 11,088 individuals which is 66% reported using psychoactive substance, and 37% which is 6,077 individuals acknowledged using multiple types,” he said.
The research underscored that there is a significant prevalence of psychoactive substance use in Sierra Leone especially in urban areas such as Bo District, thereby indicating the necessity of urgent informed interventions.
One of the key findings of the study outlined the the importance of developing gender-sensitive prevention and treatment strategies. Emphasizing the need to address substance use across all age demographics and considers the influence of familial and educational backgrounds
Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Health said the findings of the study would be the beginning of a new chapter, adding that it is an opportunity to take bold step in order to ensure that they are equipped with policies and grounded interventions to putting an end to substance misuse.
He mentioned that the solutions would adoptable and inclusive to building a healthy Sierra Leone.
Minister of Health emphasized that the Government of Sierra Leone through the leadership of President Bio, they are committed to action thereby providing solutions to prevalence substance misuse, designing program to addressing the root cause, providing scale of treatments and rehabilitation centre and expand community outreach.
Dr. Eve Byrd, Director of Mental Health Program at Carter Centre said they are committed to funding opportunities to more research in an effort to develop quality health service across the country,