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Knowledge and Prevalence of Substance Abuse among Undergraduate Students of a Nigerian University

Obi AI1-3*, Udume II4, Adayonfo E5, Obi JN6, Obi RU7, Nkwagu DI2

1Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Benin, Benin City, PMB 1154, Edo State, Nigeria; 2Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, PMB1111, Edo State, Nigeria; 3Centre of Excellence for Reproductive Health Innovation (CERHI), University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State 4Department of Child Health, University of Benin, Benin City, PMB 1154, Edo State, Nigeria 5Department of Mental Health, University of Benin, Benin City, PMB 1154, Edo State, Nigeria 6Department of Administration, Federal Neuropsychiatric, Benin City Edo State, Nigeria 7Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State

Corresponding Author: andrew.obi@cerhi.uniben.edu; Tel: +2348023447122

Recieved Date: Jun, 2024; Accepted Date: Jul, 2024; Published Date: 2024

Citation: Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Research. 23 (1) 53-61 https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jmbr.v23ii.9

ABSTRACT

Background: Substance abuse among university students is an evolving concern among young person’s today with grave consequences on health and well-being. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and prevalence of substance abuse among university students in order to identify appropriate preventive measures. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 771 undergraduate students of the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, using pretested self-administered questionnaire. Respondents were selected by a multistage sampling technique, data collected were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25.0. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.050 at 95% confidence interval. Results: The mean age of respondents studied was 23.2 ± 2.3 years. Six hundred and sixty-four (97.2%) of the respondents had good knowledge of substance abuse. The life time prevalence of substance use was 44.4% (n=342) while recent prevalence of substance use was 68.1% (n= 233). Faculty of students (OR=2.320; CI=1.379 - 2.434; p<0.001), religion (OR: 0.452; CI: 0.048-0.282; p<0.001), family type (OR: 0.240; CI: 1.215-3.118; p=0.006), monthly allowance (OR: 0.375; CI: 1.541-6.707; p=0.002) and knowledge of substance use (OR: 0.235; CI: 0.075-0.740; p=0.013) were identified as significant predictors of substance use. Conclusion: Despite good knowledge of substance abuse and health implications a little less than half of the respondents used substances. There is need to reduce the prevalence of substance use through targeted health educational interventions among this target population.

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