Climate variability, poverty and substance use disorders: Exploring maladaptive coping mechanisms in climate-stressed communities of Northwest Nigeria.
Northwest Nigeria is highly vulnerable to climate variability and heavily dependent on rain-fed agriculture, which exacerbates existing socioeconomic vulnerabilities.
This study aimed to explore the link among climate-induced stress, poverty, and mental health outcomes, particularly substance use as a maladaptive coping mechanism, in this region.
The study was conducted in Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina in Northwest Nigeria.
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 20 000 adults aged ≥ 18 years from 40 randomly selected communities. Data were collected using validated instruments: The Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), the Coping Strategies Inventory-Short Form (CSI-SF), and a Multidimensional Poverty Index Questionnaire. Robust statistical analyses, including multivariable logistic regression with cluster-robust standard errors, were employed.
The prevalence of high-risk substance use (ASSIST ≥ 27) was 18.5% (n = 3700). Cannabis was the most commonly misused substance (12.4%, n = 2480), followed by prescription opioids (9.1%, n = 1820) and alcohol (7.8%, n = 1560). High psychological distress (K10 ≥ 20) was identified in 45.2% (n = 9040). Over 85% (n = 17 000) were multidimensionally poor. Maladaptive coping strategies were strongly correlated with both poverty (odds ratio [OR]: 3.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.85-3.42) and high psychological distress (OR: 4.85, 95% CI: 4.48-5.25).
This study reveals a concerning syndemic of climate-related stress, profound poverty, poor mental health, and substance use in Northwest Nigeria. Associations suggest substance use may function as a maladaptive coping mechanism in the context of climate-induced economic hardship, though causal inference is limited by the cross-sectional design.
Findings underscore the critical need for integrated public health interventions that address mental health and substance use disorders within the context of climate adaptation and poverty reduction strategies.
This study aimed to explore the link among climate-induced stress, poverty, and mental health outcomes, particularly substance use as a maladaptive coping mechanism, in this region.
The study was conducted in Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina in Northwest Nigeria.
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 20 000 adults aged ≥ 18 years from 40 randomly selected communities. Data were collected using validated instruments: The Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), the Coping Strategies Inventory-Short Form (CSI-SF), and a Multidimensional Poverty Index Questionnaire. Robust statistical analyses, including multivariable logistic regression with cluster-robust standard errors, were employed.
The prevalence of high-risk substance use (ASSIST ≥ 27) was 18.5% (n = 3700). Cannabis was the most commonly misused substance (12.4%, n = 2480), followed by prescription opioids (9.1%, n = 1820) and alcohol (7.8%, n = 1560). High psychological distress (K10 ≥ 20) was identified in 45.2% (n = 9040). Over 85% (n = 17 000) were multidimensionally poor. Maladaptive coping strategies were strongly correlated with both poverty (odds ratio [OR]: 3.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.85-3.42) and high psychological distress (OR: 4.85, 95% CI: 4.48-5.25).
This study reveals a concerning syndemic of climate-related stress, profound poverty, poor mental health, and substance use in Northwest Nigeria. Associations suggest substance use may function as a maladaptive coping mechanism in the context of climate-induced economic hardship, though causal inference is limited by the cross-sectional design.
Findings underscore the critical need for integrated public health interventions that address mental health and substance use disorders within the context of climate adaptation and poverty reduction strategies.
Authors
Abdulwahab Abdulwahab, Muhammad Muhammad, Aveka Aveka, Surajudeen Surajudeen, Khalid Khalid, Aliyu Aliyu, Attahiru Attahiru, Abubakar Abubakar, Yakasai Yakasai
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