Studies suggest that harmful substance use is higher in post-conflict settings, and particularly among young people. This study utilized mixed methods to: 1) qualitatively examine the language used by school-based Liberian youth aged 12-22 years to discuss substances and sexual behaviors; and 2) quantitatively assess the prevalence of substance use and risky sexual behaviors among in-school Liberian youth.

Partner: University of Liberia A.M. Dogliotti College of Medicine

Lead BUMC Investigator: Dr. Christina P.C. Borba

• Ghebrehiwet S, Harris BL, Ojediran B, Owusu M, Augello LP, Durham MP, Henderson DC, Borba CPC. Using local terminology to measure substance use behaviors among youth in post-conflict Liberia: a mixed methods study. Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies. 2020 Oct 27:1-3.

• Ogundare T, Ghebrehiwet S, Harris BL, Ojediran B, Duncan AM, Syeda HS, Henderson DC, Borba CPC. Risky sexual behaviors and substance use among youths in post-conflict Liberia. Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology. 2020 Jun 30;12(2):114-27.