Internet Fraud among Patients Admitted for Psychoactive Substance Use Disorders in Selected Hospitals of Southwestern Nigeria: Prevalence, Predictors, and Implications.

Abstract

Background: The nexus between internet fraud and drug abuse is a complex and multifaceted issue that has garnered significant attention in recent years. The study aims to explore the relationship between internet fraud and psychoactive substance use among patients admitted for substance use disorders in southwest Nigeria. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional approach, using a mixed qualitative and quantitative method, to examine patients admitted for psychoactive substance use disorder in southwestern Nigeria between March 2023 and May 2024. Statistical significance was determined at p-values less than 0.05 for quantitative data, while content analysis was used for qualitative variables. Findings: =0.001) were much more likely to engage in internet fraud. Conclusion: The study reported that drug abuse predates internet fraud among the respondents. Relevant stakeholders must invest in curbing the scourge of drug abuse, as it has been linked to internet fraud.