Browsing by Author "Kalokoh, Sullay"

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    Factors Associated with Patterns of Drug and Substance Abuse among Youths in Bo City, Sierra Leone
    (Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2026-10-06) Kalokoh, Sullay
    Background Drug and substance abuse remains a major public health concern among young people, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where increasing availability of illicit substances poses significant social, behavioural, and health-related challenges. Bo City, the second-largest urban centre in Sierra Leone, has experienced a substantial increase in substance-related incidents; however, empirical evidence regarding the determinants, patterns, and accessibility of substance use among youths remains limited. Understanding these factors is essential for developing targeted prevention and control interventions. Objective This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with patterns of drug and substance abuse among youths in Bo Municipality, Sierra Leone. Specifically, the study assessed youths’ knowledge and awareness of drug abuse, identified commonly abused substances, examined factors influencing substance use, and determined sources of drug availability among young people. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed among 401 youths in Bo Municipality, Sierra Leone. Participants were selected using a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured and pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 25.0. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics and substance use patterns, while Chi-square tests of independence were performed to assess associations between sociodemographic factors and substance use outcomes. Statistical significance was determined at a p-value < 0.05. Results The majority of respondents were males (72.3%), aged 16–23 years (54.1%), had secondary education (32.2%), and were unemployed (57.4%). Kush was the most commonly abused substance, with 71.3% reporting lifetime use and 64.6% identifying it as their most frequently used substance, followed by marijuana (10.2%). The leading reasons for substance use included peer pressure (26.2%), escaping personal problems (19.0%), and lack of recreational activities (16.2%). Social media was the primary source of information about drugs (49.6%), whereas formal sources such as schools (3.0%) and healthcare workers (5.5%) contributed minimally. The main sources of drug availability were local markets (43.6%) and street vendors (21.7%), with 68.1% of respondents reporting that substances were either easy or very easy to obtain. Furthermore, 68.5% perceived law enforcement efforts as ineffective, while 70.6% were unaware of existing drug-related laws. Significant associations were observed between gender and type of substance used (χ²=57.55, p < 0.001), age group and substance used (χ²=57.20, p < 0.001), peer pressure and substance use (χ²=100.94, p < 0.001), and reasons for substance use and substance type (χ²=196.23, p < 0.001). Conclusion Drug and substance abuse, particularly Kush use, has become a serious public health concern among youths in Bo Municipality. The high prevalence of Kush use appears to be influenced by peer pressure, psychosocial challenges, unemployment, limited recreational opportunities, and easy accessibility through informal supply networks. Strengthening youth-focused prevention programmes, improving drug education, enhancing community awareness, and implementing effective regulatory and law enforcement measures are critical to addressing the growing substance abuse challenge in Sierra Leone.
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    Lifestyle and Dietary Determinants of Peptic Ulcer Occurrence Among Adults in Kailahun Town, Sierra Leone
    (Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2026-04-20) Kalokoh, Sullay
    Background Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) remains a significant public health concern in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with lifestyle and dietary behaviours recognized as critical modifiable determinants. Despite clinical evidence of a high burden in Sierra Leone, limited empirical data exist on the behavioural and nutritional factors driving PUD occurrence, particularly in rural underserved settings such as Kailahun Town. Objectives To identify lifestyle and dietary determinants of PUD occurrence; to assess dietary practices, including meal frequency and food type; and to analyse the association between identified behavioural and nutritional factors and PUD among adults in Kailahun Town. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 154 purposively sampled adults with confirmed PUD diagnoses in Luawa Chiefdom. Structured interviewer-administered questionnaires were deployed via KoBoToolbox. Data were analysed using SPSS version 26 and R version 4.5.1. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression were performed. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results The sample was predominantly male (70.8%) with high educational attainment (66.2% tertiary). Frequent NSAID use (77.9%), alcohol consumption (55.8%), and smoking (23.4%) were the principal lifestyle risk factors. Bivariate analysis confirmed significant associations between PUD and alcohol consumption (χ² = 28.64, p < 0.001), smoking (χ² = 12.87, p < 0.001), and NSAID use (χ² = 4.92, p = 0.027). Logistic regression analysis identified alcohol consumption (AOR = 7.69, 95% CI: 3.25–18.20), smoking (AOR = 7.03, 95% CI: 2.54–19.42), and NSAID use (AOR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.12–5.21) as independent predictors of PUD occurrence. The model explained 29% of the variance in PUD occurrence (Nagelkerke R² = 0.29). Conclusion Alcohol consumption, smoking, and unsupervised NSAID use are the dominant modifiable determinants of PUD in Kailahun Town. These findings underscore the urgent need for culturally tailored public health interventions targeting behavioural risk factors alongside dietary improvement strategies.