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. 2019 Jul 30;6(4):1388-1398.
doi: 10.1002/nop2.353. eCollection 2019 Oct.

Facilitators to the continuous abuse of tramadol among the youth: A qualitative study in Northern Ghana

Abdul-Ganiyu Fuseini  1 , Alhassan Afizu  2 , Yakubu H Yakubu  3 , Gilbert Nachinab  4
Affiliations
Free PMC article

Facilitators to the continuous abuse of tramadol among the youth: A qualitative study in Northern Ghana

Abdul-Ganiyu Fuseini et al. Nurs Open. .
Free PMC article

Abstract

Study aim: Considering the alarming rate at which young people abuse tramadol, as evidenced by the numerous media reports on the subject, this qualitative study was conducted to explore the facilitators to the abuse of tramadol by young people.

Design and methods: A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was employed in conducting the study. A total of 18 participants were purposively sampled. Data for the study were collected through two focused group discussions and three in-depth-interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

Results: The findings of the study revealed four main themes. These themes were initiating factors of abuse; desirable physical effects; desirable psychological effects; and undesirable effects. It was revealed that many young people initially get into tramadol abuse because of peer pressure, curiosity or post-traumatic addiction. However, they often continue the practice for various physical and psychological gratifications including euphoria, attentiveness, high energy levels, pain relief and improved sexual performance. The study also revealed some unpleasant side effects of tramadol abuse such as severe vomiting, loss of appetite, seizures, emotional aloofness and irritability. Many of the participants in this study also expressed willingness to quit tramadol abuse because of social discrimination and the enormous side effects that come with the abuse of the drug.

Keywords: abuse; desirable; effects; physical; psychological; tramadol; undesirable; youth.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A thematic map indicating the development of themes and subthemes
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