Cannabis use and its psychosocial correlates among school-going adolescents in Sierra Leone.

Abstract Background: Adolescents who use cannabis are more prone to participate in risky activities, such as taking other drugs, doing poorly in school, and exhibiting psychotic symptoms. No recent estimates of cannabis use and its correlates among adolescents have been documented in Sierra Leone. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of cannabis use and to determine its associated factors among school-going adolescents in Sierra Leone. Method: We analyzed secondary data from the 2017 Sierra Leone Global School-Based Health Survey. We used bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine the factors associated with cannabis usage. Results: The result showed that the prevalence of cannabis use was 4.3% among school-going adolescents in Sierra Leone. Males [aOR= 2.956, 95% CI = 1.169-7.603], alcohol use [aOR= 3.379, 95% CI = 1.208-9.448], ever used amphetamines or methamphetamines [aOR= 20.469, 95% CI = 8.905-47.053], suicidal attempt [aOR= 4.180, 95% CI = 1.468-11.905] and sexual risk behaviour [aOR= 2.798, 95% CI = 1.369-5.717] were associated cannabis use. Conclusion: The use of cannabis is prevalent among Sierra Leonean in-school adolescents. School-based health intervention programmes should be developed, considering the risk factors associated with cannabis use among adolescents.