Socio-ecological influences of adolescence marijuana use initiation: Qualitative evidence from two illicit marijuana-growing communities in South Africa.

Emmanuel Manu,Mbuyiselo Douglas,Martin A Ayanore

doi:10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v26i0.1477

Emmanuel Manu, Mbuyiselo Douglas + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v26i0.1477

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Abstract

BackgroundAdolescence has been identified as a critical risk period for substance use initiation, such as marijuana. Although several factors have been cited for adolescent marijuana use, those that influence initiation, especially in an African setting where illicit marijuana activities are rife, have not been contextually explored.AimWe ascertained the factors that influence adolescent marijuana use initiation in two marijuana-growing communities in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, based on the constructs of the socio-ecological model.SettingThe study was conducted in two selected illicit marijuana growing communities in the Ingquza Hill Local Municipality of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.MethodsFocus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted among 37 participants, grouped into four focus groups. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to select the communities and participants, respectively. An FGD guide was used to collect the data. The data were analysed using thematic content analysis approach and presented under various themes.ResultsTwelve influences of adolescent marijuana use initiation, grouped under three main levels of socio-ecological influence, personal characteristics (curiosity, shyness and fulfilment of personal need), micro-level influences (peer pressure, negative school climate, presence of marijuana in households and parental or sibling marijuana use) and macro-level influences (child labour, poverty, presence of marijuana in communities, presence of negative adult role models and breakdown in communal restrictions against marijuana use), were found.ConclusionHealth promotion programmes, targeting socio-ecological motives of adolescent marijuana use initiation in the two communities, should be intensified to break the cycle of adolescent marijuana use. Also, alternative livelihood schemes should be implemented in the affected communities to break the cycle of illegal marijuana cultivation that promotes adolescent marijuana use.

Highlights

Adolescent marijuana use is a widespread global public health challenge as marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug and the drug of choice for initiation into the use of other illicit drugs.[1,2] Adolescence has been identified as a critical risk period for substance use initiation.[3]
While marijuana use initiation often starts in the late adolescence to early adulthood, those who do so in their early adolescence face the risk of acute harm and increased susceptibility to developing drug use disorders as well as mental health disorders, including personality disorders, anxiety and depression.[4]
Similar patterns have been found in the United Kingdom where 3.4% of adolescents were reported to be regular users of the marijuana, with factors such as peer influence and maternal substance use found to be associated with adolescence marijuana use initiation.[7] http://www.sajpsychiatry.org

Summary

Introduction

Adolescent marijuana use is a widespread global public health challenge as marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug and the drug of choice for initiation into the use of other illicit drugs.[1,2] Adolescence has been identified as a critical risk period for substance use initiation.[3]. In the United States, for instance, the prevalence of marijuana use among adolescents is so dire that as far back as in 2010, 13-year-old children were found to be using the substance.[6] Similar patterns have been found in the United Kingdom where 3.4% of adolescents were reported to be regular users of the marijuana, with factors such as peer influence and maternal substance use found to be associated with adolescence marijuana use initiation.[7] http://www.sajpsychiatry.org. Adolescence has been identified as a critical risk period for substance use initiation, such as marijuana. Several factors have been cited for adolescent marijuana use, those that influence initiation, especially in an African setting where illicit marijuana activities are rife, have not been contextually explored

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