Tramadol in Nigeria: Unmasking the Epidemic of Abuse and Cultural Influence

This study examines the use and abuse of tramadol in Nigerian communities, highlighting the socio-cultural and systemic factors contributing to this phenomenon. Motivated by the scarcity of systematic evidence, the study draws on social disorganization theory to explore how tramadol abuse reflects broader socio-economic and community challenges. The mixed-method design included 500 respondents, utilizing semi-structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data, while hypotheses were tested using Pearson's Product Moment Correlation.

The study found that tramadol abuse is prevalent, driven by factors such as proving masculinity, poor law enforcement, easy access to suppliers, youth unemployment, and its use as a painkiller or sexual enhancer. Interestingly, cultural values and beliefs that support tramadol use were more influential than religious affiliations in driving its abuse.