Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Community Mental Health Journal 4/2018

01-05-2018 | Original Paper

Risk Factors for and Consequences of Substance Use in Post-Conflict Liberia: A Qualitative Study

Authors: Margaret L. Prust, Leslie Curry, Tamora A. Callands, Janeen Drakes, Kristen McLean, Benjamin Harris, Nathan B. Hansen

Published in: Community Mental Health Journal | Issue 4/2018

Login to get access

Abstract

Substance use has a significant impact on post-conflict populations; however, little is known about this critical issue in Liberia. This study examined the current risk factors for and consequences of substance use in Monrovia, Liberia. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 substance users and 21 key informants. Findings support that Liberia’s civil war played a role in increasing substance use, but also that additional risk factors continue to generate substance use today. This study provides insights into the roles of civil war and additional risk factors for substance use in Liberia. Recommendations for substance use-related policies and programs are provided.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
go back to reference Adamson, T. A., Onifade, P. O., & Ogunwale, A. (2010). Trends in socio-demographic and drug abuse variables in patients with alcohol and drug use disorders in a Nigerian treatment facility. West African Journal of Medicine, 29(1), 12–18.CrossRefPubMed Adamson, T. A., Onifade, P. O., & Ogunwale, A. (2010). Trends in socio-demographic and drug abuse variables in patients with alcohol and drug use disorders in a Nigerian treatment facility. West African Journal of Medicine, 29(1), 12–18.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Betancourt, T. S., McBain, R., Newnham, E. A., Akinsulure-Smith, A. M., Brennan, R. T., Weisz, J. R., & Hansen, N. B. (2014). A behavioral intervention for war-affected youth in Sierra Leone: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 53(12), 1288–1297.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Betancourt, T. S., McBain, R., Newnham, E. A., Akinsulure-Smith, A. M., Brennan, R. T., Weisz, J. R., & Hansen, N. B. (2014). A behavioral intervention for war-affected youth in Sierra Leone: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 53(12), 1288–1297.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Betancourt, T. S., Meyers-Ohki, S. E., Charrow, A. P., & Tol, W. A. (2013). Interventions for children affected by war: An ecological perspective on psychosocial support and mental health care. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 21(2), 70–91.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Betancourt, T. S., Meyers-Ohki, S. E., Charrow, A. P., & Tol, W. A. (2013). Interventions for children affected by war: An ecological perspective on psychosocial support and mental health care. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 21(2), 70–91.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Blair, A., Pearce, M., Muyinda, H., Katamba, A., Schechter, M. T., & Spittal, P. M. (2015). Qualitative exploration of the legacy of civil war on alcohol use and its intersection with depression, PTSD, and HIV in the post-conflict populations of Northern Uganda. Presentation at the American Public Health Association Conference. Chicago, IL. Blair, A., Pearce, M., Muyinda, H., Katamba, A., Schechter, M. T., & Spittal, P. M. (2015). Qualitative exploration of the legacy of civil war on alcohol use and its intersection with depression, PTSD, and HIV in the post-conflict populations of Northern Uganda. Presentation at the American Public Health Association Conference. Chicago, IL.
go back to reference Boothby, N., Strang, A., & Wessells, M. (2006). A World Turned Upside Down: Social Ecological Approaches to Children in War Zones. Bloomfield, CT: Kumarian Press. Boothby, N., Strang, A., & Wessells, M. (2006). A World Turned Upside Down: Social Ecological Approaches to Children in War Zones. Bloomfield, CT: Kumarian Press.
go back to reference Brofenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development: experiments by nature and design. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. Brofenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development: experiments by nature and design. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
go back to reference Callands, T. A., Sipsma, H. L., Betancourt, T., & Hansen, N. B. (2013). Experiences and acceptance of intimate partner violence: Associations with ability to negotiate sexual safety and STI symptoms among young Liberian women. Culture, Health and Sexuality, 15, 680–694.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Callands, T. A., Sipsma, H. L., Betancourt, T., & Hansen, N. B. (2013). Experiences and acceptance of intimate partner violence: Associations with ability to negotiate sexual safety and STI symptoms among young Liberian women. Culture, Health and Sexuality, 15, 680–694.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Degenhardt, L., Whiteford, H. A., Ferrari, A. J., Baxter, A. J., Charlson, F. J., Hall, W. D., Freedman, G., Burstein, R., Johns, N., Engell, R. E., Flaxman, A., Murray, C. J., & Vos, T. (2013). Global burden of disease attributable to illicit drug use and dependence: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010. Lancet, 382(9904), 1564–1574.CrossRefPubMed Degenhardt, L., Whiteford, H. A., Ferrari, A. J., Baxter, A. J., Charlson, F. J., Hall, W. D., Freedman, G., Burstein, R., Johns, N., Engell, R. E., Flaxman, A., Murray, C. J., & Vos, T. (2013). Global burden of disease attributable to illicit drug use and dependence: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010. Lancet, 382(9904), 1564–1574.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Ezard, N. (2012). Substance use among populations displaced by conflict: a literature review. Disasters, 36(3), 533–557.CrossRefPubMed Ezard, N. (2012). Substance use among populations displaced by conflict: a literature review. Disasters, 36(3), 533–557.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Ezard, N., Oppenheimer, E., Burton, A., Schilperoord, M., Macdonald, D., Adelekan, M., Sakarati, A., & van Ommeren, M. (2011). Six rapid assessments of alcohol and other substance use in populations displaced by conflict. Conflict and Health, 5(1), p. 1.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Ezard, N., Oppenheimer, E., Burton, A., Schilperoord, M., Macdonald, D., Adelekan, M., Sakarati, A., & van Ommeren, M. (2011). Six rapid assessments of alcohol and other substance use in populations displaced by conflict. Conflict and Health, 5(1), p. 1.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Fennig, S., Bromet, E. J., Craig, T., Jandorf, L., & Schwartz, J. E. (1995). Psychotic patients with unclear diagnoses. A descriptive analysis. The Journal of nervous and mental disease, 183(4), 207–213.CrossRefPubMed Fennig, S., Bromet, E. J., Craig, T., Jandorf, L., & Schwartz, J. E. (1995). Psychotic patients with unclear diagnoses. A descriptive analysis. The Journal of nervous and mental disease, 183(4), 207–213.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Glaser, B., & Strauss, A. (1967). The discovery of grounded research: Strategies for qualitative research. Chicago: Aldine. Glaser, B., & Strauss, A. (1967). The discovery of grounded research: Strategies for qualitative research. Chicago: Aldine.
go back to reference Gerdes, F. (2013). Civil War and State Formation: The Political Economy of War and Peace in Liberia. New York: University of Chicago Press. Gerdes, F. (2013). Civil War and State Formation: The Political Economy of War and Peace in Liberia. New York: University of Chicago Press.
go back to reference Harris, B. L., Levey, E. J., Borba, C. P., Gray, D. A., Carney, J. R., & Henderson, D. C. (2011). Substance use behaviors of secondary school students in post-conflict Liberia: a pilot study. International Journal of Culture and Mental Health. doi:10.1080/17542863.2011.583737. Harris, B. L., Levey, E. J., Borba, C. P., Gray, D. A., Carney, J. R., & Henderson, D. C. (2011). Substance use behaviors of secondary school students in post-conflict Liberia: a pilot study. International Journal of Culture and Mental Health. doi:10.​1080/​17542863.​2011.​583737.
go back to reference Human Rights Watch (HRW). (2004). How to Fight, How to Kill: Child Soldiers in Liberia. Human Rights Report A1602. Human Rights Watch (HRW). (2004). How to Fight, How to Kill: Child Soldiers in Liberia. Human Rights Report A1602.
go back to reference International Narcotics Control Board (2012). Annual Report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 2012. New York: United Nations. International Narcotics Control Board (2012). Annual Report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 2012. New York: United Nations.
go back to reference Johnson, K., Asher, J., Rosborough, S., Raja, A., Panjabi, R., Beadling, C., & Lawry, L. (2008). Association of combatant status and sexual violence with health and mental health outcomes in post-conflict Liberia. Journal of the American Medical Association, 300(6), 676–690.CrossRefPubMed Johnson, K., Asher, J., Rosborough, S., Raja, A., Panjabi, R., Beadling, C., & Lawry, L. (2008). Association of combatant status and sexual violence with health and mental health outcomes in post-conflict Liberia. Journal of the American Medical Association, 300(6), 676–690.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Malterud, K. (2001). Qualitative research: Standards, challenges, and guidelines. Lancet, 358(9280), 483–488.CrossRefPubMed Malterud, K. (2001). Qualitative research: Standards, challenges, and guidelines. Lancet, 358(9280), 483–488.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Miles, M., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: an expanded sourcebook (2nd Edn.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Miles, M., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: an expanded sourcebook (2nd Edn.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
go back to reference Miller, K., & Rasmussen, A. (2010). War exposure, daily stressors, and mental health in conflict and post-conflict settings: Bridging the divide between trauma-focused and psychosocial frameworks. Social Science and Medicine, 70(1), 7–16.CrossRefPubMed Miller, K., & Rasmussen, A. (2010). War exposure, daily stressors, and mental health in conflict and post-conflict settings: Bridging the divide between trauma-focused and psychosocial frameworks. Social Science and Medicine, 70(1), 7–16.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Morse, J. (1995). The significance of saturation. Qualitative Health Research, 5, 147–149.CrossRef Morse, J. (1995). The significance of saturation. Qualitative Health Research, 5, 147–149.CrossRef
go back to reference Newnham, E. A., McBain, R. K., Hann, K., Akinsulure-Smith, A. M., Weisz, J., Lilienthal, G. M., Hansen, N., & Betancourt, T. S. (2015). The Youth Readiness Intervention for war-affected youth. The Journal of Adolescent Health: Official Publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 56(6), 606–611.CrossRef Newnham, E. A., McBain, R. K., Hann, K., Akinsulure-Smith, A. M., Weisz, J., Lilienthal, G. M., Hansen, N., & Betancourt, T. S. (2015). The Youth Readiness Intervention for war-affected youth. The Journal of Adolescent Health: Official Publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 56(6), 606–611.CrossRef
go back to reference Okulate, G. T., & Jones, O. B. (2006). Post-traumatic stress disorder, survivor guilt and substance use: A study of hospitalised Nigerian army veterans. South African Medical Journal, 96(2), 144–146.PubMed Okulate, G. T., & Jones, O. B. (2006). Post-traumatic stress disorder, survivor guilt and substance use: A study of hospitalised Nigerian army veterans. South African Medical Journal, 96(2), 144–146.PubMed
go back to reference Oshodi, O. Y., Aina, O. F., & Onajole, A. T. (2010). Substance use among secondary school students in an urban setting in Nigeria: Prevalence and associated factors. African Journal of Psychiatry, 13(1), 52–57.CrossRefPubMed Oshodi, O. Y., Aina, O. F., & Onajole, A. T. (2010). Substance use among secondary school students in an urban setting in Nigeria: Prevalence and associated factors. African Journal of Psychiatry, 13(1), 52–57.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Paparelli, A., Di Forti, M., Morrison, P. D., & Murray, R. M. (2011). Drug-induced psychosis: How to avoid star gazing in schizophrenia research by looking at more obvious sources of light. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 5(1). Paparelli, A., Di Forti, M., Morrison, P. D., & Murray, R. M. (2011). Drug-induced psychosis: How to avoid star gazing in schizophrenia research by looking at more obvious sources of light. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 5(1).
go back to reference Patton, M. (2002). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (3rd Edn.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Patton, M. (2002). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (3rd Edn.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
go back to reference Richards, L. (2002). Rigorous, rapid, reliable and qualitative? Computing in qualitative method. American Journal of Health Behavior, 26(6), 425–430.CrossRefPubMed Richards, L. (2002). Rigorous, rapid, reliable and qualitative? Computing in qualitative method. American Journal of Health Behavior, 26(6), 425–430.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Schuckit, M. A. (2006). Comorbidity between substance use disorders and psychiatric conditions. Addiction (Abingdon, England), 1(Suppl 1), 76–88.CrossRef Schuckit, M. A. (2006). Comorbidity between substance use disorders and psychiatric conditions. Addiction (Abingdon, England), 1(Suppl 1), 76–88.CrossRef
go back to reference United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2015). Human development report: Work for human development. New York, NY: United Nations Development Programme. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2015). Human development report: Work for human development. New York, NY: United Nations Development Programme.
go back to reference United Nations Refugee Programme (UNHCR) and World Health Organization (WHO). (2006). Rapid Assessment of Substance Use in Conflict-Affected and Displaced Populations: Liberia. United Nations Refugee Programme (UNHCR) and World Health Organization (WHO). (2006). Rapid Assessment of Substance Use in Conflict-Affected and Displaced Populations: Liberia.
go back to reference United Nations Refugee Programme (UNHCR) and World Health Organization (WHO). (2008). Rapid Assessment of Alcohol and Other Substance Use in Conflict-Affected and Displaced Populations: A Field Guide. Retrieved January 29, 2017 from http://www.unhcr.org/480617582.html. United Nations Refugee Programme (UNHCR) and World Health Organization (WHO). (2008). Rapid Assessment of Alcohol and Other Substance Use in Conflict-Affected and Displaced Populations: A Field Guide. Retrieved January 29, 2017 from http://​www.​unhcr.​org/​480617582.​html.
Metadata
Title
Risk Factors for and Consequences of Substance Use in Post-Conflict Liberia: A Qualitative Study
Authors
Margaret L. Prust
Leslie Curry
Tamora A. Callands
Janeen Drakes
Kristen McLean
Benjamin Harris
Nathan B. Hansen
Publication date
01-05-2018
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Community Mental Health Journal / Issue 4/2018
Print ISSN: 0010-3853
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2789
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-017-0154-3

Other articles of this Issue 4/2018

Community Mental Health Journal 4/2018 Go to the issue