Psychoactive Substance Use and Associated Factors Among Adolescent Commercial Tricycle Riders in Tamale, Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Psychoactive substance use (PSU) has become a major public health concern. Many countries are alarmed by the increasing use of psychoactive substances among adolescents, and Ghana is not an exception. AIM: The study assessed psychoactive substance use among adolescent commercial tricycle riders of Tamale, Northern Region, Ghana. METHODOLOGY: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 342 adolescent commercial tricycle operators selected from five (5) selected operational areas. Respondents were selected using a multistage sampling approach with simple random sampling within the operational areas, and a structured questionnaire was used as a data collection tool. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of psychoactive substance use was 60.8%. Reasons for use include acceptability (20.4%), increased self-confidence (60.8%), and improved work performance (24.6%). Factors that influenced psychoactive substance use include religious affiliation (Christian [aOR = 2.77 (CI: 1.44, 5.50), p = 0.003] or a Traditionalist [aOR = 4.76 (CI: 1.39, 20.75), p = 0.021]), fathers' educational level (aOR = 4.34 [CI: 1.38, 15.09], p = 0.015), large families (aOR = 2.55 [CI: 1.40, 4.79], p = 0.003), and peer and colleague introduction of psychoactive substances (aOR = 12.22 [CI: 3.16-63.48], p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study has shown a high level of psychoactive substance use among adolescent commercial tricycle operators within the Tamale metropolis, occurring within a context of poverty, hazardous child labor, and weak enforcement of child protection laws. Policy actions should include strict enforcement of the Children's Act, regulation of adolescent involvement in commercial transport, and coordinated interventions involving the Department of Children, Ghana Education Service, and National Road Safety Authority.