TY - JOUR
T1 - Patterns and social factors associated with non-prescription use of Tramadol
T2 - a cross-sectional study among youth in urban informal settlements in Ghana
AU - Osei-Tutu, Solomon
AU - Asante, Felix
AU - Agyemang-Duah, Williams
AU - Owusu-Sarpong, Obed Jones
AU - Siaw, Lawrencia Pokuah
AU - Gyasi, Razak M.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024.
PY - 2024/12
Y1 - 2024/12
N2 - Background: Non-prescription use of Tramadol is increasingly becoming common among vulnerable populations. This study examines the factors associated with non-prescription use of Tramadol among youth in urban informal settlements in the Asokore Mampong Municipality, Ghana. Methods: Cross-sectional data from Tramadol users aged 15 to 35 years living in urban informal settlements were analyzed. Non-prescription use of Tramadol was assessed using the item “Have you ever used Tramadol for any reason without a prescription from a healthcare professional?”. The responses were dichotomized as yes = 1, otherwise = 0. Multivariable logistic regression models evaluated the factors associated with non-prescription use of Tramadol. Results: Data on 200 Tramadol users were obtained. Family/friends (52.3%), were the main source of knowledge on Tramadol. Energy boost (43%) was the most cited reason for Tramadol use. Approximately 52% indicated a continuing non-prescription use of Tramadol for energy boost. Multivariable logistic regressions showed that those who lived alone (OR = 6.34: 95% CI = 2.03–19.82), migrants (OR = 3.97, 95% CI = 1.31–12.05) and the unemployed (OR = 3.57, 95% CI = 1.02–12.58) were significantly more likely to report non-prescription use of Tramadol. Conclusions: Non-prescription use of Tramadol is a threat to the youth in urban informal settlements in the Asokore Mampong Municipality. Interventions such as strict drug monitoring and regulation, drug use education, strict parental supervision, and sustainable jobs may contribute to controlling non-prescription use of Tramadol.
AB - Background: Non-prescription use of Tramadol is increasingly becoming common among vulnerable populations. This study examines the factors associated with non-prescription use of Tramadol among youth in urban informal settlements in the Asokore Mampong Municipality, Ghana. Methods: Cross-sectional data from Tramadol users aged 15 to 35 years living in urban informal settlements were analyzed. Non-prescription use of Tramadol was assessed using the item “Have you ever used Tramadol for any reason without a prescription from a healthcare professional?”. The responses were dichotomized as yes = 1, otherwise = 0. Multivariable logistic regression models evaluated the factors associated with non-prescription use of Tramadol. Results: Data on 200 Tramadol users were obtained. Family/friends (52.3%), were the main source of knowledge on Tramadol. Energy boost (43%) was the most cited reason for Tramadol use. Approximately 52% indicated a continuing non-prescription use of Tramadol for energy boost. Multivariable logistic regressions showed that those who lived alone (OR = 6.34: 95% CI = 2.03–19.82), migrants (OR = 3.97, 95% CI = 1.31–12.05) and the unemployed (OR = 3.57, 95% CI = 1.02–12.58) were significantly more likely to report non-prescription use of Tramadol. Conclusions: Non-prescription use of Tramadol is a threat to the youth in urban informal settlements in the Asokore Mampong Municipality. Interventions such as strict drug monitoring and regulation, drug use education, strict parental supervision, and sustainable jobs may contribute to controlling non-prescription use of Tramadol.
KW - Drug monitoring
KW - Ghana
KW - Non-prescription Tramadol use
KW - Urban informal settlement
KW - Vulnerable populations
KW - Youth
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85209716474&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/s41043-024-00688-z
DO - 10.1186/s41043-024-00688-z
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85209716474
SN - 1606-0997
VL - 43
JO - Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition
JF - Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition
IS - 1
M1 - 191
ER -