Marsiglia Flavio F, Huang Chao-Kai, Williams James Herbert, Munyuwiny Samuel, Makunyane Lefate, Molobe Daniel Ikenna, Freeman Rachel, Kulis Stephen, Ogbonnaya Ijeoma, Lightfoot Elizabeth
Global Center for Applied Health Research, School of Social Work, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
School of Social Work, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
Subst Use Addctn J. 2025 Oct;46(4):789-798. doi: 10.1177/29767342251350757. Epub 2025 Aug 3.
This commentary article examines the landscape of youth substance use prevention efforts in sub-Saharan Africa over the past decade (2014-2024), highlighting both the progress made and the challenges that remain. It reviews current evidence-based prevention programs, including and the , discussing their implementation, cultural adaptation, and effectiveness. The article also acknowledges other promising prevention initiatives and capacity-building efforts across the region. The review concludes that the region's great diversity is also reflected in the state of prevention science in different countries. There is, however, a shared need for more access to evidence-based prevention interventions and a need to strengthen local capacity to lead the efforts. We introduce the Global Center for Applied Health Research's African Initiative as a specific approach to strengthening local capacity, conducting feasibility studies, and culturally adapting evidence-based interventions. The model emphasizes sustainability, cultural congruence, and community-based participatory research approaches. We discuss the implications for future research, stressing the need for culturally adapted, evidence-based interventions that address the complex socio-cultural, economic, and political landscapes of sub-Saharan Africa. The article calls for greater involvement of local researchers and youth in the design and implementation of prevention programs, as well as an increase in funding for prevention science research to inform policy changes. This commentary proposes a specific strategy in support of in-country researchers, policymakers, educators, and health professionals as they work toward reducing substance use among youth in sub-Saharan Africa. The article concludes by advocating for a multilevel approach to prevention science that goes beyond studying proximal risk factors to consider broader structural determinants.
这篇评论文章审视了过去十年（2014 - 2024年）撒哈拉以南非洲地区青少年物质使用预防工作的全貌，突出了已取得的进展和仍存在的挑战。文章回顾了当前基于证据的预防项目，包括[项目名称1]和[项目名称2]，讨论了它们的实施情况、文化适应性及有效性。文章还认可了该地区其他有前景的预防举措和能力建设工作。综述得出结论，该地区的巨大多样性也反映在不同国家预防科学的现状中。然而，共同的需求是更多地获取基于证据的预防干预措施，以及加强当地主导这些工作的能力。我们介绍了全球应用健康研究中心的非洲倡议，这是一种加强当地能力、开展可行性研究以及对基于证据的干预措施进行文化适应性调整的具体方法。该模式强调可持续性、文化契合度以及基于社区的参与式研究方法。我们讨论了对未来研究的启示，强调需要有针对撒哈拉以南非洲复杂的社会文化、经济和政治环境进行文化适应性调整的基于证据的干预措施。文章呼吁当地研究人员和青少年更多地参与预防项目的设计和实施，同时增加预防科学研究的资金投入以指导政策变革。这篇评论提出了一项具体策略，以支持撒哈拉以南非洲国家的研究人员、政策制定者、教育工作者和卫生专业人员努力减少青少年的物质使用。文章最后倡导采取一种多层次的预防科学方法，这种方法超越了研究近端风险因素，转而考虑更广泛的结构性决定因素。
