Harold Thomas

Risk Communication and Community Engagement Unit, Ministry of Health, Freetown, Sierra Leone

Publications

• Case Reports   
  Understanding Substance Abuse and Addiction among Youths and Adolescents in Western Sierra Leone: Risk Factors, Challenges, and Prevention Strategies
  Author(s): Jia Bainga Kangbai*, Harold Thomas, Philip Heroe, Umaru Sesay and Patrick Lansana
  
  Substance abuse, which refers to the use of psychoactive substances is a major public health problem in Sierra Leone. With youths and adolescents the most vulnerable drug abusers and addicts, this study seeks to identify the triggers and stressors that lead youths and adolescents into substance abuse. We conducted Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions with substance abuse addicts and abusers, and key stakeholders in the selected communities, during September 2023. We employed thematic analyses to extract the main themes in each questionnaire and analyzed using ATLAS.ti version 7. We presented direct quotations with a thick description of every finding. A total of eight KII sessions were held in each district; with eight participants per session in each district. A total of nine men and seven women were interviewed. Almost a.. Read More»