Impact of Dilute Formalin Solution (Madaran Sukudie) Use on Health-Related Quality of Life and Psychiatric Morbidity among Users in Zaria, North-Western Nigeria

Background: Madaran Sukudie, a dilute formalin-based psychoactive substance, has gained popularity as an unconventional and dangerous drug among youth in Nigeria. This study investigates its prevalence, psychiatric morbidity, and impact on healthrelated quality of life (HRQoL) in Zaria, North-Western Nigeria. Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 450 users using a multistage stratified sampling method. Participants completed the WHOQoL-BREF, Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT), and the MINI Neuropsychiatric Interview for depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Data analysis included chisquare tests, independent t-tests, and binary logistic regression. Result:The prevalence of Madaran Sukudie use was 67.5% (n=304/450). Psychiatric morbidity was high: 42.9% (n=193) had generalised anxiety disorder and 34.2% (n=154) had depressive episodes. Early initiation and prolonged use significantly predicted poor HRQoL, especially in the psychological and social domains (p 0.001). Conclusion: Users reported lower mean HRQoL scores compared to non-users across all domains. Madaran Sukudie use poses serious risks to mental health and well-being. Urgent culturally sensitive public health interventions are needed to address this emerging threat.