Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41661768›Full record

ArticlePLOS mental health2024

Unveiling patterns: A cross-sectional analysis of drug prevalence among secondary school students in Douala, Cameroon.

Tekuh Achu Kingsley, Asongalem Emmanuel Acha, Njunda Anna Longdoh, Nsagha Dickson Shey

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PLOS mental health, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing 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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
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.

Tekuh Achu KingsleyDepartment of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9169-2433
Asongalem Emmanuel AchaDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
Njunda Anna LongdohDepartment of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
Nsagha Dickson SheyDepartment of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The escalating prevalence of psychoactive substance use (Pa SU) presents a significant concern in the African context, particularly among schooling adolescents, leading to potential physical and mental health complications, making substance use a giant monster for every developing society. To address this, the study focused on determining the prevalence and understanding the factors associated with psychoactive substance (Pa SU) among secondary school students in the Douala III and Douala IV districts. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2023, engaging students in secondary schools in the Douala III and Douala IV districts. Utilizing a self-administered questionnaire, comprehensive data on student sociodemographic, parental social information, and patterns of psychoactive substance use were collected. Statistical analyses, performed using SPSS, explored associated factors, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Enrolling 1054 students, the study reflected a male-to-female sex ratio of 3:2, with an average age of 15.29 ± 1.9 years (range: 12 to 20 years). Psychoactive substance life tune use (Pa SU) experimentation prevalence reached 91.0%, while current consumption was noted at 42.8%, exhibiting a male predominance. Alcohol emerged as the most frequently consumed substance, succeeded by caffeine and nicotine. Cannabis stood as the sole illicit substance, with tramadol being the only psychotropic medication used without medical guidance. Male gender (AOR = 1.58; CI: 1.07-2.34; p = 0.022), age > 16 years (AOR = 2.94; CI: 2.02-4.27; p < 0.001), the presence of a family member using psychoactive substances at home (AOR = 3.80; CI: 2.61-5.53; p < 0.001), and the presence of a friend using psychoactive substances in the surroundings (AOR = 32.92; CI: 22.02-49.20; p < 0.001) were independently identified as risk factors associated with current PaSU among students. This study provides valuable insights into the prevalence and associated factors of psychoactive substance use among secondary school students in Douala, Cameroon. The results underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions and parental awareness programs to mitigate the impact of psychoactive substance use on adolescents.

Identifiers

PMID41661768
PMCPMC12798347

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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.