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Factors associated with smoking and transitioning to nyaope injection amongst women in the City of Tshwane Municipality: A self-report by women


Moganki H. Lefoka
Robert T. Netangaheni

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.


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 2071-9736
print ISSN: 1025-9848