This prestigious recognition highlights the excellence and social relevance of his research, which addresses a major public health and gender justice issue.
Mr. Sabi Boun’s research focuses on the abuse of tramadol, a synthetic opioid widely prescribed around the world. When consumed in excessive doses, often obtained through illicit markets, tramadol can cause severe addiction with devastating social and economic consequences. His study examines the costs associated with treating tramadol abuse in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, and how these costs affect women and children within households.
Specifically, his project aims to:
Assess the direct and indirect costs related to the treatment of tramadol abuse, including consultations, hospitalizations, laboratory tests, medication, and loss of income or productivity.
Analyze the impact of these costs on women and children, focusing on their well-being, economic stability, and fundamental rights.
Identify the coping strategies used by households—such as borrowing, using savings, or reducing essential spending—and examine their repercussions on household security and women’s health.
Through a combination of medical data and semi-structured interviews, this research seeks to shed light on the economic and social burden of substance abuse and to inform public health policies and initiatives addressing gender-based violence (GBV).
The Faculty congratulates Mr. Sabi Boun on this remarkable achievement, which reflects the important contributions of our doctoral researchers to advancing knowledge in international development and social justice.
Learn more about the IDRC International Doctoral Research Awards.