Drug use and needle sharing among adolescents and young adults in Nigeria: A cross-sectional secondary analysis of data from a multi-site clinical trial

Simisola Agunbiade, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London SK5 6HE, United Kingdom. Electronic address: simisola.agunbiade@nhs.net.
Titilola Gbaja-Biamila, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, United States; Clinical Sciences Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria.
David Oladele, Clinical Sciences Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria.
Chisom Obiezu-Umeh, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, United States.
Adesola Zaidat Musa, Clinical Sciences Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria.
Lateef Akeem Blessing, Clinical Sciences Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria.
Kadija Muse Tahlil, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States.
Folahanmi Tomiwa Akinsolu, Lead City University, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Donaldson F. Conserve, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, United States.
Ebenezer Adeoti, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, United States.
Hong Xian, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, United States.
Kevin Kuriakose, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
Juliet Iwelunmor, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, United States.
Oliver Ezechi, Clinical Sciences Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria.
Joseph Tucker, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London SK5 6HE, United Kingdom; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

6-1-2025

Journal

Drug and alcohol dependence

Volume

271

DOI

10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112666

Keywords

Adolescents; Drug use; Harm reduction; Needle sharing; Nigeria; Young adults

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Adolescents and young adults (AYA, 14-24 years old) have the highest rates of drug use in most low- and middle-income countries. Little is known about the drivers of drug use among AYA in Nigeria and harm reduction services are limited. METHODS: A secondary data analysis was performed of the baseline survey of the 'I-TEST' study involving AYA in Nigeria. The two primary outcomes of interest were lifetime measures of drug use and needle sharing. Logistic regression analyses were performed to obtain odds ratios for the associations between socio-demographic exposures and the two primary outcomes. Odds ratios were subsequently adjusted for age and sex. RESULTS: 1500 AYA survey responses were analysed. Respondents were mostly unemployed, students, and living in southern Nigeria. Drug use was reported by 301/1500(20.3 %) AYA. Among these, 213/301(71.5 %) reported needle sharing. Drug use did not vary by age (OR:0.94, 95 %CI:0.73-1.22) or sex (OR:1.00, 95 %CI:0.77-1.28). AYA in the North-Central zone had higher odds of drug use (OR:1.86, 95 %CI:1.28-2.69) and needle sharing (OR:2.51, 95 %CI:1.07-5.91) compared to AYA in the South-West zone of Nigeria. AYA aged 14-19 had higher odds of needle sharing compared to those aged 20-24 (OR:3.49, 95 %CI:1.94-6.26). Female AYA had higher odds of needle sharing compared to males (OR:5.05, 95 %CI:2.85-8.95). CONCLUSIONS: Drug use and needle sharing are common among AYA in Nigeria. There is an urgent need for harm reduction services and research informed by AYA.

Department

Prevention and Community Health

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