Jaguga F, Kiburi SK, Temet E, Barasa J, Karanja S, Kinyua L, Kwobah EK. A systematic review of substance use and substance use disorder research in Kenya.
PLoS One 2022;
17:e0269340. [PMID:
35679248 PMCID:
PMC9186181 DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0269340]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
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. We
conducted a search of 5 bibliographic databases (PubMed, PsychINFO, Web of
Science, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Professionals (CINAHL) and
Cochrane Library) from inception until 20 August 2020. In addition, we
searched all the volumes of the official journal of the National Authority
for the Campaign Against Alcohol & Drug Abuse (the African Journal of
Alcohol and Drug Abuse). The results of eligible studies have been
summarized descriptively and organized by three broad categories including:
studies evaluating the epidemiology of substance use, studies evaluating
interventions and programs, and qualitative studies exploring various themes
on substance use other than interventions. The quality of the included
studies was assessed with the Quality Assessment Tool for Studies with
Diverse Designs.
Results
Of the 185 studies that were eligible for inclusion, 144 investigated the
epidemiology of substance use, 23 qualitatively explored various substance
use related themes, and 18 evaluated substance use interventions and
programs. Key evidence gaps emerged. Few studies had explored the
epidemiology of hallucinogen, prescription medication, ecstasy, injecting
drug use, and emerging substance use. Vulnerable populations such as
pregnant women, and persons with physical disability had been
under-represented within the epidemiological and qualitative work. No
intervention study had been conducted among children and adolescents. Most
interventions had focused on alcohol to the exclusion of other prevalent
substances such as tobacco and cannabis. Little had been done to evaluate
digital and population-level interventions.
Conclusion
The results of this systematic review provide important directions for future
substance use research in Kenya.
Systematic review registration
PROSPERO: CRD42020203717.
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