Factors Affecting Substance Abuse and Treatment in Ghana: A Social-Ecological Perspective Using Photovoice

Session Format

Paper Presentation

Research Area Topic:

Qualitative Research

Abstract

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime stated that West Africa may be turning into a manufacturing center of ATS (Amphetamine-type stimulant) (UNODC, 2012) if concrete measures are not taken to curb the rate at which ATS are abused in the country. The situation is worsened by the poor economic and living conditions that exist in many West African countries. The purpose of this study was to explore the risk factors associated with substance abuse and treatment in Accra, Ghana, West Africa. Methods: Photovoice was utilized to engage participants in participatory-action and the social-ecological model as a theoretical framework to categorize risk and protective factors. Ten participants in recovery received a camera and instructions to take pictures that represent risk factors, protective factors, barriers, and facilitators to substance abuse. After a week of photo-taking, participants were given the opportunity to discuss their best photos during a recorded in-depth interview. The data were analyzed using the narrative that participants provided Themes explaining risk factors, protective factors, barriers, and facilitators to substance use and treatment in Ghana were identified. Participants reported multiple reasons why individuals in their community engage in drug use and what protects others in their community from using drugs. They also reported barriers and facilitators to substance abuse treatment in Ghana. The discussion highlighted the different factors at work on the different levels of the social-ecological model. The results generated from this study can be used to design interventions to educate and prevent substance abuse in Ghana. INDEX WORDS: Substance abuse, illicit drugs, drug addiction, mental health, barriers to treatment, facilitator to treatment, Ghana, West Africa, risk factors, protective factors, social' ecological model, participatory action research.

Keywords

Substance abuse, Illicit drugs, Drug addiction, Mental health, Barriers to treatment, Facilitator to treatment, Ghana, West Africa, Risk factors, Protective factors, Social ecological model, Participatory action research

Presentation Type and Release Option

Presentation (Open Access)

Start Date

4-16-2016 2:45 PM

End Date

4-16-2016 4:00 PM

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Apr 16th, 2:45 PM Apr 16th, 4:00 PM

Factors Affecting Substance Abuse and Treatment in Ghana: A Social-Ecological Perspective Using Photovoice

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime stated that West Africa may be turning into a manufacturing center of ATS (Amphetamine-type stimulant) (UNODC, 2012) if concrete measures are not taken to curb the rate at which ATS are abused in the country. The situation is worsened by the poor economic and living conditions that exist in many West African countries. The purpose of this study was to explore the risk factors associated with substance abuse and treatment in Accra, Ghana, West Africa. Methods: Photovoice was utilized to engage participants in participatory-action and the social-ecological model as a theoretical framework to categorize risk and protective factors. Ten participants in recovery received a camera and instructions to take pictures that represent risk factors, protective factors, barriers, and facilitators to substance abuse. After a week of photo-taking, participants were given the opportunity to discuss their best photos during a recorded in-depth interview. The data were analyzed using the narrative that participants provided Themes explaining risk factors, protective factors, barriers, and facilitators to substance use and treatment in Ghana were identified. Participants reported multiple reasons why individuals in their community engage in drug use and what protects others in their community from using drugs. They also reported barriers and facilitators to substance abuse treatment in Ghana. The discussion highlighted the different factors at work on the different levels of the social-ecological model. The results generated from this study can be used to design interventions to educate and prevent substance abuse in Ghana. INDEX WORDS: Substance abuse, illicit drugs, drug addiction, mental health, barriers to treatment, facilitator to treatment, Ghana, West Africa, risk factors, protective factors, social' ecological model, participatory action research.