The driving factors facilitating non-medical use of tramadol: a qualitative study of Nigerian youths

Background: The paper explores the opinions of Nigerian youth regarding their reasons behind the use of tramadol for non-medical purposes and learns their preferences in choosing tramadol. Methods: We conducted In-depth Interviews (IDIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) among students in secondary schools, tertiary schools and out-of-school youths in Lagos, Ekiti, Edo and Delta states in Nigeria. A total of 20 IDIs and 6 FGDs were conducted among 92 Nigerian youths of age 15 – 25 years. Data was also complemented from school reports, participants’ feedback from youth drug abuse sensitization workshops and desk reviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to describe emerging themes. Results: The sex distribution of the participants was 60.1% males and 39.1% females. The main findings for non-medical use of tramadol among the youths were; to enhance sexual excitement (prolong ejaculation), to feel less hungry (reduce the desire for and food) to sustain hard labor (reduce pain, withstand prolong manual labor). The respondents also revealed that tramadol in combination with other substances will give them a euphoric effect. However, many of youths are ignorant of the risk of the non-medical use of tramadol. Conclusion: Tramadol abuse has become widespread in the Nigerian environment among the youths. The findings from this study revealed that the choice of tramadol use for non-medical purposes is a result of different effects discovered in the use which could pose potential harm to the abuser. Therefore, public health approaches should be adopted in preventing the abuse of tramadol among the youth.