Abstract
BackgroundAdolescent substance use continues to be a growing major public health concern in Africa. Recent studies infer an overall estimated prevalence of 42% among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa. Unfortunately, this phenomenon is not adequately documented across many settings in the continent despite known negative health and social consequences on affected individuals and their communities. Little is known about the social context of substance use in Africa among this population. Our aim is to conduct a systematic review, exploring the determinants and associated factors that influence adolescent substance use in Africa.MethodsWe will search the following databases (from January 2000 onwards): PubMed, the Cochrane Library, African Journals Online (AJOL), Google Scholar, ScienceDirect and the World Health Organization (WHO) African Index Medicus. We will include population-based observational studies reporting on determinants and/or risk factors of substance use among adolescents (age 10–19 years) across Africa. Two reviewers will independently screen all citations, full-text articles and abstract data. Potential conflicts will be resolved through discussion. Study methodological quality (or bias) will be appraised using appropriate tools. If feasible, we will conduct a random-effects meta-analysis of data. We plan to conduct a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies where appropriateDiscussionThis review will describe the range of determinants and associated factors found to significantly influence adolescent substance use in Africa over the last two decades. Documenting this evidence is important as it can potentially inform comprehensive interventions and treatment programmes that are targeted at adolescents and their parents in these settings.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42020190158
Highlights
Adolescent substance use continues to be a growing major public health concern in Africa
A recently published systematic review found that the overall prevalence of ‘any substance use’ among adolescents in sub-Saharan African is 41.6%, with alcohol and tobacco being the highest prevailing substances (i.e. 40.8% and 45.6%, respectively) across the continent compared to any other substance use [12]
Where textual pooling is not possible, the findings will be presented in a narrative form. This manuscript details a systematic review protocol to fill a gap in the literature around key determinants that lead to adolescent substance use in Africa
Summary
Adolescent substance use continues to be a growing major public health concern in Africa. Recent studies infer an overall estimated prevalence of 42% among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa This phenomenon is not adequately documented across many settings in the continent despite known negative health and social consequences on affected individuals and their communities. Substance use is a key cause of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost in young people; DALY rates in Africa are 2.5 times higher than in high-income countries [2, 4]. Recent studies in Africa indicate a high prevalence of substance use among young people when compared to the general population, with associated physical and psychosocial problems such as fighting, vandalism, theft, engaging in unprotected sex, personal injury, medical problems and impaired relationships with family and friends [9,10,11]. A few region-specific patterns of substance use were identified, highlighting the need for region (or country)-specific and culturally appropriate interventions and policies, for example, khat use only in East Africa [13] and using tranquilisers in South Africa [12]
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