International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research  |  e-ISSN: 2582-8940  |  Double-Blind Peer Review  |  Open Access  |  CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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     2026:7/4

International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research

e-ISSN: 2582-8940 | Open Access

Opioid Use and Mortality in West and Central Africa: Public Health Burden, Determinants, and Policy Responses (2017–2020)

Aisha Katsina Isa

Independent Researcher, Nigeria

Article Information

Volume / Issue2 / 2 (April-June 2021)
Pages30-32
AccessOpen Access

Publication Timeline

  • Received29 January 2021
  • Accepted17 March 2021

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Abstract

Opioid misuse and related mortality have become emerging public health challenges in West and Central Africa. Although the global discourse on the opioid epidemic has focused on North America, evidence from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that Africa has developed a growing problem centered on the use of tramadol and codeine. Between 2017 and 2020, large-scale seizures, increasing hospital admissions, and policy restrictions illustrated both the magnitude and complexity of the crisis. Weak regulatory frameworks, widespread poverty, and inadequate access to pain relief have created a dual crisis excess access for non-medical use and limited access for legitimate medical purposes. This review synthesizes regional literature published between 2017 and 2020 to describe epidemiological trends, determinants, policy responses, and ethical challenges associated with opioid misuse in West and Central Africa. The findings highlight the urgent need for balanced opioid governance that integrates surveillance, prevention, and equitable pain management across the region.

Keywords

OpioidsTramadolCodeineAfricaPublic HealthMortalityPolicy Response

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How to Cite

Isa, A. K. (2021). Opioid Use and Mortality in West and Central Africa: Public Health Burden, Determinants, and Policy Responses (2017–2020). International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research, 2(2), 30-32. https://doi.org/10.54660/IJMBHR.2021.2.2.30-32

Isa, Aisha Katsina. "Opioid Use and Mortality in West and Central Africa: Public Health Burden, Determinants, and Policy Responses (2017–2020)." International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research, vol. 2, no. 2, 2021, pp. 30-32. https://doi.org/10.54660/IJMBHR.2021.2.2.30-32.

Isa, A. K. (2021) 'Opioid Use and Mortality in West and Central Africa: Public Health Burden, Determinants, and Policy Responses (2017–2020)', International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research, 2(2), pp. 30-32. doi: 10.54660/IJMBHR.2021.2.2.30-32.

Isa AK. Opioid Use and Mortality in West and Central Africa: Public Health Burden, Determinants, and Policy Responses (2017–2020). International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research. 2021;2(2):30-32. doi:10.54660/IJMBHR.2021.2.2.30-32

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