Factors Associated with the Consumption of Psychoactive Substances among Drivers of Vehicles on National Highway No. 1 of the Kinshasa-Kisantu Section

Authors

  • Justin Muilu Pila Faculty of Medicine, Simon Kimbangu University (USK), Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) Author
  • Abraham Mifundu Bilongo Department of Psychiatry, Neuropsychopathological Center (CNPP), University of Kinshasa, CNPP, UNIKIN, DR Congo Author
  • Patrice Milambo Kapia National Program for the Fight Against Drug Addiction and Toxic Substances (PNLCT), Kinshasa-Kintambo, DR Congo Author
  • Mechack Badabi Zingale Faculty of Medicine, Simon Kimbangu University (USK), Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) Author
  • Cadet Kamba Kanundowu Faculty of Medicine, Simon Kimbangu University (USK), Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) Author
  • Armand Nkiambilumuene Pila Department of Neurology, Neuropsychopathological Center (CNPP), University of Kinshasa, CNPP, UNIKIN, DR Congo Author
  • Beni Muilu Pila Faculty of Medicine, Kongo University (UK), Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) Author
  • Lebrun Kembo Nsayi Higher Institute of Medical Techniques (ISTM), Kinshasa, DR Congo Author
  • Jules Kuzeye Nakafwako Public utility institution known as the Papa Muilu Pila Foundation (FPM/EUP), Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) Author
  • Amir Mayimona Ibrahim Faculty of Medicine, Kongo University (UK), Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) Author
  • Gilbert Mananga Lelo Department of Neurology, Neuropsychopathological Center (CNPP), University of Kinshasa, CNPP, UNIKIN, DR Congo Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47363/JIDSCR/2026(7)204

Keywords:

Associated Factors, Kinshasa-Kisantu Section, Psychoactive Substances, Vehicle Driver

Abstract

Context and Objective: The consumption of psychoactive substances (PAS) is worrying in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It constitutes a real public health problem. Determining the factors associated with PAS consumption among vehicle drivers on National Road No. 1 of the Kinshasa-Kisantu section was the main objective.

Methods: The quality-of-life scale (SF-12), perceived stress (PSS), anxiety-depression (HADS) and cognitive performance (MMTF) scales were used in a cross-sectional and analytical study conducted from November 2, 2020 to January 30, 2021 with 70 drivers. Sampling was non- probability and convenience. The variables of interest were sociodemographic and clinical. Univariate analysis and logistic regression made it possible to identify the associated and determining factors of SPA consumption.

Results: The average age was 37.39 ± 8.6 years, all male, between 31 and 40 years old (54.3%), with secondary education (80%), single (52.9%), with a monthly income ≥ $250 (60%), having less than 5 dependents (67.1%), attending traditional churches (48.6%), consuming mainly beer (71.4%). They had a pathological level of stress (75.7%), anxiodepressive syndrome (40%), mild intellectual deterioration (60%), moderate (12.9%) and poor quality of life (60%). The factors associated with SPA consumption are: young age (ORa: 2.25CI95%: 1.47-4.03), singleness (ORa: 1.58CI95%: 1.09-3.23), pathological stress (ORa: 1.22CI95%: 1.05-1.71), anxiety-depression (ORa: 2.27CI95%: 1.63-8.15), neurocognitive disorders (ORa: 1.729CI95%: 1.36-8.31) and poor quality of life (ORa: 3.70CI95%: 4.89-6.21).

Conclusion: The consumption of psychoactive substances among vehicle drivers on national road no. 1 of the Kinshasa-Kisantu section is worrying. It is associated with young age, single status, pathological stress, anxiety-depression, neurocognitive disorders and poor quality of life.

Author Biographies

  • Justin Muilu Pila, Faculty of Medicine, Simon Kimbangu University (USK), Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo)

    Faculty of Medicine, Simon Kimbangu University (USK), Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo)

  • Abraham Mifundu Bilongo, Department of Psychiatry, Neuropsychopathological Center (CNPP), University of Kinshasa, CNPP, UNIKIN, DR Congo

    Department of Psychiatry, Neuropsychopathological Center (CNPP), University of Kinshasa, CNPP, UNIKIN, DR Congo

  • Patrice Milambo Kapia, National Program for the Fight Against Drug Addiction and Toxic Substances (PNLCT), Kinshasa-Kintambo, DR Congo

    National Program for the Fight Against Drug Addiction and Toxic Substances (PNLCT), Kinshasa-Kintambo, DR Congo

  • Mechack Badabi Zingale, Faculty of Medicine, Simon Kimbangu University (USK), Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo)

    Faculty of Medicine, Simon Kimbangu University (USK), Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo)

  • Cadet Kamba Kanundowu, Faculty of Medicine, Simon Kimbangu University (USK), Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo)

    Faculty of Medicine, Simon Kimbangu University (USK), Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo)

  • Armand Nkiambilumuene Pila, Department of Neurology, Neuropsychopathological Center (CNPP), University of Kinshasa, CNPP, UNIKIN, DR Congo

    Department of Neurology, Neuropsychopathological Center (CNPP), University of Kinshasa, CNPP, UNIKIN, DR Congo

  • Beni Muilu Pila, Faculty of Medicine, Kongo University (UK), Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo)

    Faculty of Medicine, Kongo University (UK), Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo)

  • Lebrun Kembo Nsayi, Higher Institute of Medical Techniques (ISTM), Kinshasa, DR Congo

    Higher Institute of Medical Techniques (ISTM), Kinshasa, DR Congo

  • Jules Kuzeye Nakafwako, Public utility institution known as the Papa Muilu Pila Foundation (FPM/EUP), Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo)

    Public utility institution known as the Papa Muilu Pila Foundation (FPM/EUP), Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo)

  • Amir Mayimona Ibrahim, Faculty of Medicine, Kongo University (UK), Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo)

    Faculty of Medicine, Kongo University (UK), Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo)

  • Gilbert Mananga Lelo, Department of Neurology, Neuropsychopathological Center (CNPP), University of Kinshasa, CNPP, UNIKIN, DR Congo

    Department of Neurology, Neuropsychopathological Center (CNPP), University of Kinshasa, CNPP, UNIKIN, DR Congo

Downloads

Published

2026-02-12

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 1 (2026): Volume 7 Issue 1

Section

Articles