A scoping review of substance use brief interventions in Africa.

Background: The burden of substance use in Africa is substantial. Brief interventions (BIs) are a recommended public health strategy for the prevention and early intervention for substance use problems. The objective of this scoping review was to map the literature on substance use BIs in Africa, identify gaps, and provide directions for future research.

Exploring user experiences of a text message-delivered intervention among individuals on opioid use disorder treatment in Kenya: A qualitative study.

Opioid use disorder causes significant burden of disease and treatment comprises pharmacotherapy and psychosocial treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective psychosocial intervention used in substance use disorders treatment and can be delivered using digital approach. There is limited use of digital treatment among individuals with opioid use disorder in Kenya.

Telehealth interventions for substance use disorders in low- and- middle income countries: A scoping review.

The increasing prevalence and magnitude of harmful effects of substance use disorders (SUDs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) make it imperative to embrace interventions which are acceptable, feasible, and effective in reducing this burden. Globally, the use of telehealth interventions is increasingly being explored as possible effective approaches in the management of SUDs. Using a scoping review of literature, this article summarizes and evaluates evidence for the acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of telehealth interventions for SUDs in LMICs.

Exploring the experiences of clients receiving opioid use disorder treatment at a methadone clinic in Kenya: a qualitative study.

Background: Assessing the experiences of individuals on methadone treatment is essential to help evaluate the treatment program's effectiveness. This study aimed to explore the experiences of patients receiving methadone treatment at a clinic in Nairobi, Kenya.

Method: This study employed an exploratory qualitative study design.

Digital interventions for opioid use disorder treatment: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Introduction: Opioid use disorders are associated with a high burden of disease and treatment gap. Digital interventions can be used to provide psycho-social treatment for opioid use disorders, as an alternative to or together with face-to-face interventions. This review aimed to assess the application and effectiveness of digital interventions to treat opioid use disorder globally.

Association of Major Disease Outbreaks With Adolescent and Youth Mental Health in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Scoping Review.

Importance: Adolescents and young people have been historically understudied populations, and previous studies indicate that during epidemics, these populations, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), are at high risk of developing mental disturbances.

Objective: To identify the existing evidence regarding the association of mental health with outbreaks of the influenza A (H1N1), Zika, Ebola, and SARS-CoV-2 virus in exposed youth and adolescents in LMICs.

Evidence Review: Across 6 databases (Embase, Cochrane Library, PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science), the mental health outcomes of adolescents and youth (aged 10-24 years) associated with 4 major pandemic outbreaks from January 2009 to January 2021 in LMICs were reviewed.

Mobile phone ownership, digital technology use and acceptability of digital interventions among individuals on opioid use disorder treatment in Kenya.

Background: There is limited research on the use of digital interventions among individuals with opioid use disorders (OUD) in low-and-middle income countries. This study aimed to assess mobile phone ownership, digital technology use and acceptability of digital interventions for treatment among individuals on treatment for OUD in Nairobi, Kenya.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among individuals with OUD.

A systematic review of substance use and substance use disorder research in Kenya.

Objectives: The burden of substance use in Kenya is significant. The objective of this study was to systematically summarize existing literature on substance use in Kenya, identify research gaps, and provide directions for future research.

Methods: This systematic review was conducted in line with the PRISMA guidelines.

Impact of major disease outbreaks in the third millennium on adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health and rights in low and/or middle-income countries: a systematic scoping review protocol.

Introduction: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) of young people continue to present a high burden and remain underinvested. This is more so in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), where empirical evidence reveals disruption of SRHR maintenance, need for enhancement of programmes, resources and services during pandemics. Despite the importance of the subject, there is no published review yet combining recent disease outbreaks such as (H1N1/09, Zika, Ebola and SARS-COV-2) to assess their impact on adolescents and youth SRHR in LMICs.

The prevalence and pattern of cannabis use among patients attending a methadone treatment clinic in Nairobi, Kenya.

Background: Cannabis use during methadone treatment may negatively impact treatment outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of cannabis use among patients attending a methadone treatment clinic in Nairobi, Kenya.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of 874 patients on methadone therapy at a methadone maintenance treatment clinic in Nairobi, Kenya from December 2014 to November 2018.

Estimate cost of providing methadone maintenance treatment at a methadone clinic in Nairobi Kenya: direct costs.

Methadone maintenance treatment is reported as cost-effective in treatment of opioid use disorder. Estimated cost of providing methadone varies widely in different regions but there is no data regarding cost of methadone treatment in Kenya. The aim of this study was to estimate the cost of methadone maintenance treatment at a methadone maintenance treatment clinic in Nairobi, Kenya from the perspective of the government, implementing partner and the clients.

Cannabis use in adolescence and risk of psychosis: Are there factors that moderate this relationship? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Previous research has reported increased risk for psychosis among individuals who use cannabis during adolescence. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the interaction between adolescent cannabis use and other factors in moderating risk for psychosis later in life. We searched four electronic databases in June 2020 for articles that assessed adolescent cannabis use, had psychosis as an outcome and analyzed for the association between adolescent cannabis use and psychosis.

Emotional and behavioral problems in children with epilepsy attending the pediatric neurology clinic at a referral hospital in Kenya.

Introduction: Epilepsy is a common neurological condition, with a lifetime prevalence of 1% in children. Research has shown a high prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems in children with epilepsy. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems in children with epilepsy attending the pediatric neurology clinic in a referral hospital in Kenya and examine associated sociodemographic and clinical variables.

Adverse childhood experiences among patients with substance use disorders at a referral psychiatric hospital in Kenya.

Background: Substance use disorders are a major cause of health and social problems worldwide. Research evidence shows a strong graded relationship of adverse childhood experiences and substance use in adulthood. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences and their association with substance use among patients with substance use disorders.