Premium
The Epidemiology of Addiction in Sub‐Saharan Africa: A Synthesis of Reports, Reviews, and Original Articles
Author(s) -
Acuda Wilson,
Othieno Caleb J.,
Obondo Anne,
Crome Ilana B.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the american journal on addictions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.997
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-0391
pISSN - 1055-0496
DOI - 10.1111/j.1521-0391.2010.00111.x
Subject(s) - epidemiology , addiction , medicine , psychiatry , pathology
Use of alcohol and other psychoactive substances is associated with serious social and public health problems, but the extent of the problem in Sub‐Saharan Africa is not well known. We set out to review epidemiological publications on alcohol and other psychoactive substances in Sub‐Saharan Africa by performing a systematic search of electronic databases and paper records. Ten Sub‐Saharan African countries are among the 22 in the world with the highest increase in per capita alcohol consumption. Cannabis, tobacco, and khat are widely used, and use of cocaine, stimulants, and heroin is increasing. More epidemiological research and implementation and evaluation of interventions is needed. Collaboration between African researchers and those in developed countries could help. (Am J Addict 2011;20: 1–13)