Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41783824›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of public health2026

Prevalence of Substance Use in Northwest Syria: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Isabel Draper, Dania Albaba, Heba Mesbah, Huda Taktak, Nidhal Saadoun, Mohammad Alhusein, Elharit Alissa, Anas Barbour, Zaher Sahloul, Nidal Moukaddam

Abstract read
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Article in International journal of public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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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

10 authors.

Isabel DraperPsychiatry Department, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.
Dania AlbabaPsychiatry Department, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.
Heba MesbahPsychiatry Department, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.
Huda TaktakMedGlobal, Rolling Meadows, IL, United States.
Nidhal SaadounWHO, North West Syria Mental Health and Psychosocial Support MHSS0 Technical Working Group (TWG), Azzazz, Syria.
Mohammad AlhuseinMedGlobal, Rolling Meadows, IL, United States.
Elharit AlissaMedGlobal, Rolling Meadows, IL, United States.
Anas BarbourMedGlobal, Rolling Meadows, IL, United States.
Zaher SahloulMedGlobal, Rolling Meadows, IL, United States.
Nidal MoukaddamPsychiatry Department, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objectives: Syria has undergone significant socio-political turmoil since 2011 as internal conflict displaced portions of the population, destroyed infrastructure, and destabilized the economy. In the context of multilevel healthcare system disruptions, there have been increasing reports of substance use. This study seeks to evaluate patterns of substance use in Northwestern Syria. Methods: Trained staff administered questionnaires to community members in Azaz, Syria. Questions focused on the substance use prevalence, societal and public health impacts, and perspectives on treatment availability. Results: 480 individuals were surveyed (80·88% male, 19·12 % female; 43·39% were 18-25 yrs, 11·5% reported personal substance use). H-booz (amphetamines), hashish (cannabis), and tramadol were the top 3 used. Displaced individuals exhibited twice the odds of substance use compared to non-displaced, with higher education and age demonstrating strong protective effects. Conclusions: The current sociopolitical and economic situation shaped patterns of substance use within Syria, with reported prevalence likely an underestimate given social desirability bias. Those commenting on their use met the criteria for substance use disorder. Results underscore the need for improved access to treatment options in the region.

Indexed as

Substance-Related DisordersAdolescentAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHealth Services AccessibilityHumansMalePrevalenceRefugeesSurveys and QuestionnairesSyriaYoung Adultconflict regionhealth services accessibilityinternally displaced personssubstance use disorderssyrian civil war

Identifiers

PMID41783824
PMCPMC12954405

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.