Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41609667›Full record

ReviewJournal of behavioral addictions2026

Behavioral addictions in Africa: Emerging trends, challenges, and policy implications.

Chimezie Obinna Odionye, Oluwatomilayo Omoya, Paul Delfabbro, Daniel King

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of behavioral addictions, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Chimezie Obinna Odionye1Department of Counselling & Human Development Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0577-1089
Oluwatomilayo Omoya2College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0545-5341
Paul Delfabbro3School of Psychology, Adelaide University, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0466-5611
Daniel King4College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1762-2581

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Behavioral addictions, including problematic internet use, gaming, and gambling, are emerging as significant public health concerns in Africa, driven by rapid digitalization and socioeconomic shifts. This commentary provides a critical overview of the current state of behavioral addictions in Africa, examining prevalence, cultural influences, and systemic barriers to research and intervention. Despite growing evidence of harm, particularly among youth, the continent faces significant challenges, including limited epidemiological data, cultural biases in assessment tools, and an underdeveloped mental health infrastructure. Drawing on regional studies and global frameworks, the need for culturally sensitive research, evidence-based interventions, and robust policy frameworks is highlighted. The paradoxical coexistence of rising addiction risks and minimal regulatory oversight underscores the urgency of addressing behavioral addictions in African contexts.

Indexed as

Behavior, AddictiveGamblingHealth PolicyInternet Addiction DisorderAfricaHumansPrevalenceAfricabehavioral addictionsdigital addictiongamblingpolicypublic health

Identifiers

PMID41609667
PMCPMC13132406

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.