The THE PREVALENCE OF PSYCHO ACTIVE SUBSTANCE USE AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AMONG UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATES IN LAGOS SOUTHWEST NIGERIA
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Psychoactive substance abuse is a global problem and youthful populations are more vulnerable particularly in developing countries where circumstances may be favourable for it. There is no adequate published data on psychoactive substance abuse among undergraduate youth in Lagos Nigeria. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of psycho active substance use and associated risk factors among university undergraduates in Lagos southwest Nigeria
Methodology: An institution-based survey was conducted on a sample of 400 students. Data was collected using a questionnaire designed by the WHO for student drug surveys and analysed using IBM SPSS version 20
Results: A total of 387 students participated in the study with 69.77% male and 30.23% females and mean age of 20.51 (SD)(±2.91) year. Known psycho active substances were; alcohol 307(79.33%), cocaine322 (83.20%) , cannabis 326(84.24%) , heroine316(81.65%) , cigarette311(80.36%) ,amphetamines 198(51.16%), digoxin 168 (43.1%), salbutamo165(42.64%)l, glue 209 (54.01%) and tramadol 207 (79.33%). The known adverse effects of Psycho active substance use were hallucination, cancers, constipation, miosis, renal damage and failure, reduced life expectancy, liver damage, diarrhoea, mental problems and sleeping problems. The most abused substance is alcohol (68.99%). The age range at first use of the various substances of abuse was 15-19 years with a mean of 16.31 ± 3.89. There is a statistically significant association between sex and lifetime prevalence of substance abuse (p<0.05). Bi variate analysis between socio demographic factors and substance use in the past twelve months is showed being male was significantly associated with substance use (OR (95% CI): 5.6 (3.43, 9.14)).
Conclusions: Our study has revealed that psycho active substance use is common. The most common reasons for substance use initiation were curiosity, pleasure, and relief of psychological stress. Being male is the most significant factor for substance use.
Keywords: Psychoactive, substance abuse, undergraduates
