ABSTRACT

This mixed-methods study aimed to use local terminology to accurately characterize the prevalence and risk factors associated with substance use and risky health behaviors among school-based youth in Monrovia, Liberia. An 86-question survey was validated using qualitative data obtained from focus groups at two secondary schools in central and greater Monrovia. The revised survey was then administered to 400 students from eight different secondary schools in this region. The observed prevalence estimates for lifetime and current substance use were considerably higher than previously reported among adolescents in the West African region. Among students who were former child soldiers, the rates of current substance use were 5.8–33.8% higher compared to the overall study sample. Male gender, academic seniority, and peer approval of substance use were all found to be strong predictors of current substance use among secondary students. Results suggest the need for targeted, trauma-informed interventions to reduce rates of substance use and risky health behaviors among youth in Liberia and similar post-conflict settings.

摘要

这项混合方法研究旨在使用当地术语来准确描述利比里亚蒙罗维亚在校青年中与物质使用和危险健康行为相关的流行率和风险因素。使用从蒙罗维亚中部和大蒙罗维亚两所中学的焦点小组获得的定性数据验证了一项包含 86 个问题的调查。然后，对来自该地区八所不同中学的 400 名学生进行了修订后的调查。在西非地区的青少年中观察到的终生和当前物质使用流行率估计值大大高于先前报告的。在曾经是儿童兵的学生中，与整体研究样本相比，当前物质使用率高出 5.8-33.8%。男性、学历、和同伴对物质使用的认可都被发现是中学生当前物质使用的有力预测因素。结果表明，需要有针对性的创伤知情干预措施，以降低利比里亚和类似冲突后环境中青年的药物使用率和危险健康行为。