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REVIEW ARTICLE

Opioid use among Nigerian students: Exploring knowledge gaps and preventive strategies

Abdullahi Adeyemi Adegoke1,2 ,  Maryam Tariq3 ,  Syed Muhammad4 ,  Malik Olatunde Oduoye5* ,  Maryam Imam6 ,  Omotayo Faith Olanrewaju7 ,  John Adole Inalegwu8 ,  Abisola Motunrayo Ojebola9 ,  Samuel Chinonso Ubechu10
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1 Department of Pharmacy, Iwo College of Health Science and Technology, Iwo Osun State, Nigeria
2 Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan Nigeria, Nigeria
3 Department of Medicine, Aziz Fatima Medical and Dental College, Faisalabad, Pakistan
4 Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Farooqia College of Pharmacy, Mysuru, India
5 Department of Research, The Medical Research Circle (MedReC), Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo
6 Divison of Epidemiology and Social Sciences, Institute for Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
7 Department of Pharmacy, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria
8 Department of Paediatrics, Federal Medical Centre Azare, Bauchi State, Nigeria
9 Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria
10 Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, Yale University, United States of America
INNOSC Theranostics and Pharmacological Sciences, 3894 https://doi.org/10.36922/itps.3894
Submitted: 7 July 2024 | Revised: 7 September 2024 | Accepted: 28 November 2024 | Published: 2 January 2025
© 2025 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
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Abstract

The increasing rate of opioid consumption among Nigerian students is alarming. Despite the therapeutic benefits of opioids, their excessive use could be detrimental. Exploring knowledge gaps and implementing preventive strategies are necessary to curb opioid misuse among Nigerian students. This review aimed to identify the prevalence estimates of non-prescribed opioid use among Nigerian students and explore the cultural and societal factors favoring opioid and other drug use in this population. It further aimed to provide and discuss strategies that could offer effective and long-lasting solutions for Nigerian policymakers to curb opioid use among Nigerian students. A systematic search strategy identified relevant studies from databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar using keywords such as opioid misuse, students, Nigeria, prevention strategies, and opioid use disorder. Articles on the prevalence rates, associated factors, and preventive measures were extracted. The findings revealed a high prevalence of opioid use among Nigerian students, particularly in the southwestern (7.87%) and northeastern (6.57%) parts of Nigeria. Approximately 4.6 million Nigerians, constituting 4.7% of the population, have used opioids for non-medical purposes. Tramadol and codeine are the most commonly misused opioids. Cultural practices and belief systems often impact the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of opioid use among students. Efforts to prevent and control opioid misuse in Nigeria should focus on effective coordination among students. Health-promotion measures and specific protection should be promoted alongside early diagnosis, prompt treatment, and rehabilitation of affected individuals.

Keywords
Opioid misuse
Students
Nigeria
Prevention strategies
Opioid use disorder
Funding
None.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
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