Epidemiology of Inhalant Abuse - Archives - National Institute on ...

eview <strong>of</strong> patients records) make any reference to inhalant abuse. In one
<strong>of</strong> these, a retrospective study was conducted <strong>of</strong> admissions into four
major psychiatric hospitals in Nigeria for a period <strong>of</strong> 5 years (1984-1988)
(Obot and Olaniyi 1991). Only one case <strong>of</strong> inhalant abuse was referred to
specifically in the case files. This case involved a 16-year-old Muslim
male student who was admitted into a university teaching hospital
because <strong>of</strong> sniffing “liquids, petrol, gum, gas,” as recorded in his file. He
spent 68 days in treatment.
In another study <strong>of</strong> alcohol and drug-related admissions by Ohaeri and
Odejide (1993), in which the records <strong>of</strong> 10,396 cases in 28 psychiatric
hospitals were analyzed, only 20 admissions were attributed to the abuse
<strong>of</strong> solvents. Fifteen <strong>of</strong> these were found in only one facility in the
northern part <strong>of</strong> Nigeria.
A PILOT STUDY OF INHALANT ABUSE IN NIGERIA
From the foregoing, it is clear that, in the available literature on the abuse
<strong>of</strong> inhalants in Nigeria, no studies have been conducted in the country on
inhalant abuse only. The studies cited earlier were general drug abuse
surveys with a few questions on inhalant (especially organic solvent)
misuse.
It is not clear from these studies whether or not African youth sniff
substances other than glue, petrol, kerosene, and sprays. It also is not
clear from available studies if abuse <strong>of</strong> these substances refers to
exposure to them by chance or in the course <strong>of</strong> normal activities or to
conscious attempts to “get high” or “feel good.” (Since many sources <strong>of</strong>
inhalants are available at home and children come in contact with them, it
is necessary to make this distinction in studies <strong>of</strong> inhalant abuse.) This
also is relevant to surveys that seek information on the abuse <strong>of</strong>
prescription drugs, where the distinction between use as prescribed or use
without a doctor’s prescription is necessary. In order to address these
shortcomings, it is necessary to carry out a more detailed study focusing
only on inhalants. The data being reported in this section are from a pilot
study on secondary school students’ knowledge about abuse <strong>of</strong> inhalants.
Work on inhalant abuse among artisans, low-skilled workers, and other
members <strong>of</strong> the population is still in progress.
179