Abstract:

Objective: The study examined the pattern of Substance Use among the Nigerian Air Force Personnel.

Method: All the participants were airforce personnel. Officers and Men were randomly selected (N=250) and each subject was assessed using; 1) a Health Questionnaire {that assessed socio-demographic variables as well as the pattern of use and consumption of liquor), 2) Alcohol and drug sections of the Schedule for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN), and the 28 – item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ -28). The personnel were informed that completion and returning the questionnaires would indicate consent to participate in the research.

Results: One hundred and ninety males and sixty females comprising officers and men participated. The mean age of the group was 30.9 years, with a range of 21 – 44 years; SD 4.35. One hundred and eight (42.6 percent) were 20 – 29 years, while one hundred and thirty (52 percent) were 30 – 39 years, and Twelve (5.4 percent) were 40 and above years. The difference in mean age between officers and men was not statistically significant following analysis of variance (ANOVA), F=2.59, P=0.148. The most commonly used substances were mild stimulants (coffee and kolanuts), alcohol, cigarette, cannabis, and hypnosadatives in that order. About the same trend was observed for the lifetime use. As many as 158 (63.3 %) of the respondents were current users of alcohol and almost everyone in the sample 92% have used alcohol in their lifetime. Fifteen 6% of the respondents were currently using cannabis, while 18.7% were lifetime users. Disorders were recorded for past year (ie criteria met within the previous 12 months) and lifetime (ever met criteria) using SCAN. Overall, 21 (8.3%) and 6 (2.3%) of the respondents DSM 1V diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse and dependence respectively in the past year; Eleven (4.7%) and 13 (5.3%)met the criteria for nicotine abuse and dependence respectively in the past year; 10 (4.0%) and 3 (1.0%)met the criteria for cannabis abuse and dependence respectively in the past year. A total of 42 respondents (16.8%) scored eight and above on the GHQ-28 scale. Thus the probable psychiatric morbidity rate for the cohort was about 17%.

References:

[1]. Bray RM, and Hourani LL. Substance use trends among active duty military personnel: Findings from the United States department of Defence. Health related Behaviour Survey, 1980 – 2005. Addiction. 102, 1092 – 1101. (2007).

[2]. Bryant, C. D. (1979). Khaki-Collar Crime. New York: Free Press.

[3]. Department Of Defense. Directive No. 1010.4:Alcohol and Drug Abuse by DoD Personnel. (Supersedes and cancels 1980 version of Directive No.1010.4 and 1985 version of Directive No. 1010.3). Washington, DC: Department of Defense

[4]. Ebie JC, Obiora M. Use and abuse of psychoactive pharmaceuticals in Nigeria. Nigerian J Psychiatry 1988;1:181-5.

[5]. Hingston R, Mangioney T, barret J Job characteristics and drinking practices in Boston Metropolitant area. QJ stud Alcohol: (1981). 42:725-735.

[6]. Ingraham, L. H. (1984). The Boys in the Barracks. Philadelphia, PA: Institute for the Study of Human Issues.

[7]. Obot, I. S. Ethical and legal issues in the control of drug abuse and drug trafficking: The Nigerian case. Social Science and Medicine, (1992). 35, 481– 493.

[8]. Odejide A.O. Ohaeri JU; Adelekan, ML and Ikuesan B.A. drinking behaviour and social change among youths in Nigeria- study of two cities. Drug and Alcohol Dependence(1987): 20, 227 – 233.

[9]. Robins, L. N., HELZER, J. E., & DAVIS, D. H. Narcotic Use in Southeast Asia and Afterward: An Interview Study of 898 Vietnam Returnees. Archives of General Psychiatry(1975). 32:955-61.

[10]. RTI International (2009). Department of Defense Survey of Health-Related Behaviors Among Active Duty Military Personnel. Research Triangle Park, NC: RTI International.

[11]. Seal, K.H.; Metzler, T.J.; Gima, K.S.; et al. Trends and risk factors for mental health diagnoses among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans using Department of Veterans Affairs health care, 2002–2008. American Journal of Public Health 99(9):1651–1658, 2009.

[12]. Wertsch, M. E. (1991). Military Brats: Legacies of Childhood Inside the Fortress. New York: Harmony Books.