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Background
Substance abuse in adolescents is an important public health issue that negatively impacts health, academic performance, and future opportunities. Substance use among adolescents is growing among in-school and out-of-school adolescents in Nigeria influenced by peer pressure, family influence and norms in the society. This study determines the prevalence, usage patterns, and key contributing factors associated with substance abuse among adolescents in Imo State, Nigeria.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was carried out among 732 adolescents in Imo State, with data collected from in-school and out of school adolescents. Data were collected using structured questionnaires on substance use history, age of onset, perceived risk, role of the family, and peer pressure. Statistical association between school status and substance use behaviours was estimated using chi-square tests.
Results
Of the respondents, 34.2% reported ever consuming alcohol, 23.5% reported ever using tramadol and 17.2% reported ever using cannabis/marijuana. Types of physical effects reported were weakness (18.2%), aggression (10.9%) and visual hallucinations (12.2%). Family influence surfaced as another main driver, with 34.3% saying that their family’s substance use practices were “Very Influential” on their own use. School status (in-school vs out-of-school) was not significantly associated with substance use behaviors (p > 0.05), suggesting similar risk between both groups. However, out-of-school adolescents had the highest association of early initiation and frequent use.
Conclusion
Peer pressure and family influence were the causes for the high prevalence of substance use among adolescents in Imo State, as found in the study. The lack of a notable school status effect indicates that interventions should be directed towards all adolescents, irrespective of educational status. A tech-based early detection mobile application to track adolescents’ risk behaviors via anonymous self-report and predictive analytics should be developed. In addition, bolstering school curricula and vocational training centers with substance abuse education will serve both early prevention efforts and empower adolescents with refusal skills.
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