Original Research
Factors associated with smoking and transitioning to nyaope injection amongst women in the City of Tshwane Municipality: A self-report by women
Submitted: 10 August 2021 | Published: 18 July 2022
About the author(s)
Moganki H. Lefoka, Community Oriented Substance Use Programme, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; and, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South AfricaRobert T. Netangaheni, Department of Health Studies, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
Abstract
Background: Substance use disorder has emerged as a key health and social challenge in South Africa (SA). It is projected that about 15% of South African youth, especially young women are prone to engage in drug use and the prospects of coming into contact with nyaope, a highly addictive drug, are higher. Nyaope is mainly smoked, but the prevalence of injecting it is increasing in most regions.
Aim: This study aimed to explore and describe the perception of women, who use nyaope, about the factors contributing to nyaope smoking and transitioning to injecting nyaope amongst women in the City of Tshwane Municipality (CoT), Gauteng.
Setting: The research was conducted within Community Oriented Substance Use Programme sites across the CoT Municipality.
Methods: Qualitative research methods were utilised to explore and describe the perceptions of the participants on factors contributing to the use of nyaope amongst women residing in the CoT. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and thematically analysed.
Results: Intimate partner influence (IPI), peer pressure, being misled by friends, weight loss, lack of effective coping mechanisms and counteracting other drugs contributed to women smoking nyaope. Additionally, a need for an intense high, IPI, influence by the social network, curiosity and cost-effectiveness contributed to women transitioning from smoking to injecting nyaope.
Conclusion: The study has established factors contributing to smoking and transition to injecting nyaope as viewed by women residing in the CoT.
Contribution: This research affirms that women are influenced by different factors to use and transition to injecting Nyaope.
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Crossref Citations
1. Exploring the perspectives of community members on use of Nyaope in Tshwane, South Africa
Doudou K. Nzaumvila, Robert Mash, Toby Helliwell
South African Family Practice vol: 65 issue: 1 year: 2023
doi: 10.4102/safp.v65i1.5715