Non-medical prescription opioid use and opioid use disorder in the military population in Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Objective: Aim of the study was to determine 12-month prevalence of non-medically prescribed opioid use (NMPOU) and NMPOU disorder among a military population in Nigeria.

Method: In this descriptive cross sectional study, 224 military officers were interviewed by multistage stratified systematic sampling method. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) version 7.0 was used to generate data on 12-month prevalence of NMPOU and NMPOU disorder. Associated factors and predictors were determined using SPSS Version 17.0, IBM, Chicago, Illinois.

Results: Prevalence of NMPOU was 6.7% and NMPOU disorder, 3.6%. Predictors of NMPOU were: 12-month tobacco use, OR = 2.01, 95% CI (1.12–6.42) and 12-month cannabis use disorder OR = 2.96, 95% CI (1.35–7.38), Predictors of 12-month NMPOU disorder were: 12-month alcohol use disorder OR = 1.59, 95% CI (1.13–3.29), 12-month tobacco use disorder OR = 3.94, 95% CI (1.95–5.04) and 12-month cannabis use disorder OR = 3.0, 95% CI (2.06–8.87)

Conclusion: NMPOU and NMPOU disorder is a major health issue in the military. This population requires substance use prevention and intervention programs.

KEYWORDS:

• 12-month prevalence
• tobacco
• cannabis
• alcohol
• opioids
• injury

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge Drs J Azegbebor and Ayinde, then of the university college hospital Ibadan and also all the Secretariat staff who assisted in data entry.

Authors’ Contributions

Both VL and II were designed the study. II was involved in data collection, analysis of data and manuscript writing. VO was involved in manuscript writing and data analysis.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

No Declaration of Interest

Ethical Consideration

All procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000 (5). Informed consent was obtained from all patients for being included in the study.’ Confidentiality was maintained in the entire course of the study by the use of serial numbers.

Additional information

Funding

This research didn’t receive grants from any funding agency