Exploring factors underlying the use of nyaope in Tshwane, South Africa: A qualitative study

Journal of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa

 
 
Field Value
 
Title Exploring factors underlying the use of nyaope in Tshwane, South Africa: A qualitative study
 
Creator Nzaumvila, Doudou K. Mash, Robert Helliwell, Toby
 
Subject Family medicine; general practice; primary health care; mental health addiction; dependency; nyaope; South Africa; qualitative study; risk factors; substance use; user perspectives.
Description Background: Nyaope increasing use has become a major public health concern, not only because of its detrimental health effects but also because of its far-reaching social consequences. This situation has caused distress for families, communities and the users themselves, contributing to ongoing cycles of dependency and instability at the social, family and individual levels. The aim of this study is to explore the perspectives of users regarding the factors underlying their use of and dependency on nyaope.Methods: An exploratory descriptive qualitative design was employed. Data were gathered from 10 nyaope users through semi-structured interviews.Results: Nyaope was widely and easily available, and purchases could be made with impunity. Factors such as peer pressure, boredom, poverty, unemployment and escapism all contributed to the initiation of nyaope use. Participants financed their habit through personal earnings, criminal activities and even support from family members. There was a pervasive sense of lawlessness associated with nyaope use, coupled with the stigmatisation and marginalisation of users by both their families and communities. Many users ultimately became part of a street-level nyaope brotherhood that perpetuated the use.Conclusion: Multisectoral and multifaceted interventions will be necessary to reduce the use of nyaope. Further research could quantify these factors and inform more effective prevention and treatment strategies.Contribution: These findings, along with input from community and family members, provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors related to nyaope use.
 
Publisher AOSIS
 
Contributor
Date 2025-06-26
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — qualitative research
Format text/html application/epub+zip text/xml application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/jcmsa.v3i1.129
 
Source Journal of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa; Vol 3, No 1 (2025); 10 pages 2960-110X 3105-4331
 
Language eng
 
Relation
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:

https://jcmsa.org.za/index.php/jcmsa/article/view/129/600 https://jcmsa.org.za/index.php/jcmsa/article/view/129/601 https://jcmsa.org.za/index.php/jcmsa/article/view/129/602 https://jcmsa.org.za/index.php/jcmsa/article/view/129/603
 
Coverage Africa; South Africa; Pretoria — Age; Gender;
Rights Copyright (c) 2025 Doudou K. Nzaumvila, Robert Mash, Toby Helliwell https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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