Correlates for psycho-active substance use among boarding secondary school adolescents in Enugu, South East, Nigeria

Prevalence and consumption pattern of kolanut among pregnant women in Ibadan metropolis

Kolanut contains caffeine and it is widely consumed in various social contexts in Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African countries. While some studies have suggested that kolanut is consumed by pregnant women, there is a dearth of information on the prevalence, consumption pattern and reasons for kolanut consumption among this group. This study investigated kolanut use among pregnant women in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study involving 478 consenting pregnant women in all trimesters of pregnancy was conducted. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Associations between kolanut use and respondent characteristics were investigated using the chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. The mean age of the women was 28.7 ± 6.3 years. One hundred and sixty-two (33.9%) of women reported kolanut use during pregnancy, 140 (29.3%) in the current pregnancy. Fifty-five (39.3%) pregnant women reported frequent use and 46 (32.9%) used it in high quantities. Significant associations were found between current kolanut use and Hausa respondents (p = 0.014), educational level; secondary (p = 0.032), tertiary (p = 0.006), TBA (p = 0.005). The majority (93.7%) used kolanut to prevent spitting, nausea, and vomiting. This study showed that kolanut use is quite common among pregnant women and frequently used in large quantities.

Cannabis use in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The most available data on the prevalence of cannabis use come from population surveys conducted in high-income countries in North America, Oceania and Europe. Less is known about the prevalence of cannabis use in Africa. This systematic review aimed to summarize general population-level cannabis use in sub-Saharan Africa since 2010.

METHODS

A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO and AJOL databases in addition to Global Health Data Exchange and grey literature without language restriction. Search terms related to 'substance', 'Substance-Related Disorders' and 'Prevalence' and 'Africa South of the Sahara' were used. Studies that reported cannabis use in the general population were selected, while studies from clinical populations and high-risk groups were excluded. Prevalence data on cannabis use in the general population of adolescents (10-17 years) and adults (≥ 18 years) in sub-Saharan Africa were extracted.

RESULTS

The study included 53 studies for the quantitative meta-analysis and included 13 239 participants. Among adolescents, the life-time, 12-month and 6-month prevalence of cannabis use were 7.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.4-10.9%], 5.2% (95% CI = 1.7-10.3%) and 4.5% (95% CI = 3.3-5.8%), respectively. The corresponding life-time, 12-month and 6-month prevalence of cannabis use among adults were 12.6% (95% CI = 6.1-21.2%), 2.2% (95% CI = 1.7-2.7%, with data only available from Tanzania and Uganda) and 4.7% (95% CI = 3.3-6.4%), respectively. The male-to-female life-time cannabis use relative risk was 1.90 (95% CI = 1.25-2.98) among adolescents and 1.67 (CI = 0.63-4.39) among adults.

CONCLUSIONS

Life-time cannabis use prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa appears to be approximately 12% for adults and just under 8% for adolescents.

Current alcohol, tobacco, and khat use and associated factors among adults living in Harari regional state, eastern Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study

Background

Psychoactive substance use becomes a major public health and socioeconomic problem worldwide. Despite its burden and consequences, there is no community-based study conducted on psychoactive substance use and associated factors in eastern Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the magnitude and determinants of current alcohol, tobacco, and khat among adults living in Harari regional state, eastern Ethiopia.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 955 adults living in Harari regional state. Participants were randomly recruited using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected by interviewer-administered structured and semi-structured questionnaires. Data were entered into Epi Data version 3.1 and exported to Stata version 14.0 for analysis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between the outcome and independent variables, and the statistical significance was declared at a p < 0.5.

Results

Of 955 eligible participants, 95.29% participated in the study. The overall prevalence of current alcohol use, tobacco use, and khat use in this study was 8.24, 14.5, and 63.30%, respectively. The availability of alcohol, being unemployed, and being a current khat user were significantly associated with current alcohol use. Being male, having a low level of education, having peer pressure, having a common mental disorder, being a current alcohol user, and being a khat user were identified as significant predictors for current tobacco use. The age between 31 and 40 years, being a Muslim religion follower, being a farmer, being a current tobacco user, and availability of khat were significantly associated with current khat use.

Conclusion and recommendations

The prevalence of psychoactive substance use in the study area was relatively high compared with that of previous studies. By considering these determinants, screening, early identification, and developing appropriate intervention strategies to prevent and tackle current alcohol, tobacco, and khat use in the community should be of great concern.

Knowledge of health effects and determinants of psychoactive substance use among secondary school students in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria

Introduction

psychoactive substance use (PSU) is a patterned use of a drug in which the user consumes the substance in amounts or methods which are harmful to themselves or others. Psychoactive substance use takes a considerable toll on financial status, academic achievement and health status of addicts. In Nigeria, PSU is on the increase, one of the most disturbing health-related problems and a leading cause of premature death among school aged population worldwide. We therefore, determined the knowledge of health effects and determinants of psychoactive substance use among secondary school students in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria.

Methods

we conducted a cross-sectional study among 430 secondary school students that were selected using multistage sampling in Sokoto, Northwestern, Nigeria from April to May 2019. We collected data using a semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire. We calculated proportions and adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) in a binary logistic regression model.

Results

knowledge of health effects of PSU was good in 38.1% of the respondents with a mean score of 19.6 ± 10.0. The overall prevalence of PSU was high among current users (16.3%), male participants (78.6%) and those aged 17-years or more (68.6%). Independent predictors of current use of psychoactive substances were poor knowledge of health effects (aOR: 4.1, 95% CI: 1.7-10.0) and father´s use of psychoactive substances (aOR: 10.3, 95% CI= 1.9-57.1).

Conclusion

knowledge of health effects of psychoactive substances was generally poor among the participants with an associated high prevalence among current users. Poor knowledge of its health effects determines the use of psychoactive substances. We conducted awareness campaigns and health talk on health effects of PSU to secondary school students in the State. The Federal Ministry of Education should ensure that PSU-related topics are incorporated in the secondary school curriculum.

PREVALENCE AND PREDICTORS OF CIGARETTE SMOKING AND ALCOHOL USE AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN NIGERIA

Background

Cigarette and alcohol use are the most common causes of noncommunicable diseases. Studies related to cigarette and alcohol use among Nigerian adolescents have shown increases in the habits and require urgent intervention. Nationally representative data is needed to develop effective national policies and interventions, but this is lacking. Hence, this study aimed to provide nationally representative empiric information about cigarette and alcohol use prevalence and predictors among Nigerian secondary school students.

Methods

This study included 2,530 Nigerian students in Nigeria from five of the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information about the participants' sociodemographic and school-based characteristics, cigarette and alcohol use status, and harm perception of tobacco and alcohol use. Data were analysed with SPSS version 25 at p<0.05.

Results

Participants' mean age (±SD) was 16.34 (±2.0) years. The prevalences (95%CI) for ever-cigarette and current-cigarette smoking were 11.1% (95%CI:9.9-12.4) and 8.4% (95%CI:7.3-9.5), respectively. While 21.0% (95%CI:19.4-22.7) and 15.6% (14.2-17.1) were the prevalences for lifetime and current alcohol use, respectively. The predictors of current cigarette smoking were studying in northern-Nigeria (aOR:1.94;95%CI:1.10-3.44), attending private-schools (aOR:1.56;95%CI:1.03-2.38), boarding-student (aOR:1.75;95% CI:1.15-2.69), male-gender (aOR:3.03; 95%CI:1.80-5.10), current alcohol use (aOR:12.50;95%CI:8.70-18.18), having no (aOR:2.59;95%CI:1.58-4.26) or low tobacco harm perception (aOR:2.04;95%CI:1.18-3.53). The predictors of current alcohol use were male (aOR:1.32; 95%CI:1.01-1.72) and current cigarette smoking (aOR:12.5;95%CI:8.77-17.86).

Conclusion

The prevalences of cigarette and alcohol use were high among Nigerian secondary school students, and both habits were strongly associated. Their predictors were school-related factors, sociocultural characteristics, and tobacco harm perception.

New trend of drugs abused by secondary school students in Nigeria

Background

It appears that there is a new trend in the types of drugs abused by secondary school students in Nigeria that makes it difficult to identify current drug abusers.

Objectives

This study was conducted to reveal the trends with regards to the types of drugs abused by these students in the country.

Methods

This is an online and desktop review of published articles about the types of drugs abused by secondary school students during the period that spanned from 2010–2020.

Results

In all, 17 research reports were identified as having data on the types of drugs abused by secondary students in the Nigeria. It was found that 18 different drugs were empirically identified as being abused by secondary school students in 9 different states of Nigeria. The observed trend is that alcohol, cannabis, tobacco and cigarettes are the most abused drugs, while drugs that were least abused were cocaine, caffeine, glue, heroine, energy drinks, miraa, rohypnol and tramadol.

Conclusion

It was concluded that studies of drug abuse by secondary school students in Nigeria are not yet robust enough to reveal the types of drugs that are currently being abused.

Correlates of alcohol experimentation and drunkenness episodes among secondary-school students in Nigeria

Background: Alcohol is the most used substance among adolescents in Nigeria. While risk factors for alcohol use among adolescents are well documented in Europe and the US, they have received less attention in the literature on African countries. This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with alcohol experimentation and drunkenness episodes in a national sample of Nigerian adolescents. Methods: A total sample of 4,078 secondary-school students participated in the survey during the school year 2015-2016. The survey involved 32 secondary schools of six geopolitical zones (South-South, South-West, South-East, North-Center, North-West, and North-East) and two metropolitan cities (Abuja and Lagos) of Nigeria. Sociodemographic characteristics, parental alcohol use and permissiveness, friends' alcohol use, risk perceptions and beliefs were investigated as correlates of alcohol experimentation and drunkenness episodes through multilevel, mixed-effect logistic regression models. Results: The prevalence of alcohol experimentation was 34.0%, while the prevalence of drunkenness episodes was 13.4%. Results showed that male gender, family structure different from both parents' families, parental and friends' alcohol use, parental permissiveness to drink, low risk perceptions on drinking alcohol, and positive beliefs on consequences of alcohol use were associated with an increased probability of alcohol experimentation and drunkenness episodes. Family affluence and one-parent family structure were related to an increased probability of alcohol experimentation but not of drunkenness episodes. Conclusions: The majority of risk factors analyzed in this study generalize across drinking-behavior outcomes. Since the young population is dominant in Nigeria, alcohol use could become a big public health problem in the near future. High investment in adolescents' well-being by addressing the factors that contribute to drinking behavior might help to reduce the burden of the problem. Evidence-based prevention curriculum addressing knowledge, risk perceptions, beliefs on consequences of alcohol use, and parental behaviors should be implemented as widely and early as possible.

Sociodemographic profile of psychoactive substance use among selected secondary school students in rural Nigeria

Objectives Use of Psychoactive substances by young people poses an important public health threat despite mass campaigns and education. There have been documentations of rise in prevalence and use of psychoactive substances by Nigerian adolescents in urban areas of Nigeria. Few reports exist on in-school adolescents in rural areas, and differences in their sociodemographic profile such as public/private school attendance, day/boarding status and socioeconomic status of students. The study determined the rate and sociodemographic profile of psychoactive substance use among secondary school students in selected rural communities in Anambra state, Nigeria. Methods This was a cross-sectional study in which multistage sampling was used to select 494 students from selected secondary schools in Anambra state. Data on age, gender, socioeconomic status, student status, school category, alcohol, tobacco and intravenous drug use were obtained using pretested semi-structured questionnaires. Analysis of data was done using IBM SPSS statistics software version 20.0, frequency, percentages and means were calculated, with cross-tabulation done for variables (Chi-square and Fishers exact test where applicable). Level of significance for tests of association set at 5%. Results A total of 494 participants were studied of which 48.8% (n=241) were males. The mean age was 14.5 ± 1.8 years. The prevalence of lifetime use of psychoactive substance was 22.5%. Prevalence for individual substances were 21.9% (n=108), 1.8% (n=9) and 0.8% (n=4) respectively for alcohol, tobacco and illicit intravenous drugs. Neither gender {6 males (2.5%), 3 females (1.2%), p=0.890}, age {10-13 years (1.3%), 14-16 years (2.1%), >16 years (1.7%), p=0.329}, student status {day (2.6%), boarding (1.2%), p=0.320}, social class {upper (0.9%), middle (0.6%), lower (3.1%), p=0.208 } nor school category {private (1.5%), public (2.1%), p=0.742} of students was significantly associated with smoking and respectively. More males (73/241=30.3%, p<0.001) took alcohol than females (35/253 = 13.8%) and this was statistically significant. Participants from the lower socioeconomic class (30.3%, p<0.001) had a significantly higher rate of alcohol consumption than those from the upper (11.8%) and middle classes (16.7%) respectively. Higher rate was noted among those who attended public schools (30.8%, p<0.001) compared to those who attended private schools (13.8%). Day students (30.2%, p<0.001) indulged more in alcohol than boarding students (14.3%). There was no association between either the class (junior=22.5%, senior=21.3%, p=0.759) or age of participants (10-13 years=20.7%, 14-16 years=20.1%, >16 years=33.3%, p=0.071) and alcohol consumption. No association was found between age (0.7%, 1.1%, p=1.000), gender (male=1.2%, female=0.4%, p=0.362), social class (lower=1.3%, upper=0.9%, p=0.443), student status (day=0.9%, boarding=0.8%, p=1.000), school category (junior=0.8%, senior=0.8%, p=1.000) and intravenous drug use. Conclusions The rate of about 22% alcohol use by secondary school students in rural south eastern Nigeria, which is strongly associated with male gender, low socioeconomic status, day student status and public school attendance is high.

Substance Use among Adolescent High School Students in Nigeria and Its Relationship with Psychosocial Factors

Background: Despite the tremendous negative consequences of substances on the health and well-being of adolescents, studies continue to report the high rates of substance use among adolescents. We aimed to identify the pattern of substance use among high school students and its relationship with psychosocial factors.

Study design: A cross-sectional study.

Methods: The study was conducted in Oct 2019 among students in the senior secondary school in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State; southwestern Nigeria. Participants were selected using random sampling, and data were collected using a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Kessler Psychological distress scale and an adapted version of the NIDA-Modified ASSIST. Bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regression were carried out to identify factors associated with psychological distress.

Results: Overall, 682 students participated in the study. The lifetime and current prevalence of any substance were 17.3% (95% CI: 14.7%, 20.5%) and 11.7% (95% CI: 9.0, 14.0), respectively. Although most substance use variables increases the risk of psychological distress, history of lifetime substance use AOR= 3.03 (95% CI: 1.19, 7.72, P =0.020) and absence of direct parental care AOR=2.04 (1.19, 3.48, P=0.009) significantly increases the risk of experiencing psychological distress. Parental substance use AOR=3.48 (95% CI: 1.57, 7.69, P =0.002), male gender AOR=2.97 (95% CI: 1.82, 4.83, P=0.001) significantly increased substance use risk while having married parents AOR=0.50 (95% CI: 0.27, 0.92, P=0.027) and living with parents AOR 0.39 (95% CI: 0.20, 0.75, P =0.005) were significant protective factors.

Conclusion: The prevalence of substance use among these adolescents was substantial. Drug education initiated in primary school and services aimed at promoting the mental wellbeing of adolescents may go a long way in decreasing substance use among this population.

Predictors of bullying reported by perpetrators in a sample of senior school students in Benin City, Nigeria

Background

Bullying behaviour amongst adolescents is becoming a significant public health challenge. Whilst the traditional and electronic bullying as reported by victims has been widely reported, surveys amongst perpetrators, particularly in Africa, are still lacking.

Aim

This study is aimed at determining the prevalence of bullying by perpetrators and analysing the relationship between bullying perpetration and psycho-socio-demographic characteristics amongst senior school students in Benin City, Nigeria.

Setting

Senior secondary school in Benin City, Nigeria.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of 465 final-year secondary school students aged 16–19 years, who were selected by multistage random sampling, was conducted. The students were made to fill a self-designed questionnaire, in addition to an adapted version of the Wagnild and Young’s resilience scale.

Results

The lifetime prevalence of bullying was 16.3%. Binary logistic regression revealed bullying to be significantly associated with students who are male (adjusted odds ratio [AOD] = 2.13, confidence interval [CI] = 1.16–3.93), have poor relations with their teachers (AOR = 2.98, CI = 1.68–5.29), have used alcohol (AOR = 3.51, CI = 1.74–7.09) and are involved in cult and gangsterism (AOR = 9.14, CI = 2.55–32.75).

Conclusion

The rate of bullying perpetration by youth in Benin City, Nigeria, is significant and is comparable to global occurrence. The predictors of bullying in this study suggest that perpetrators are individuals who may benefit from rehabilitative measures.

Correlates of cannabis and other illicit drugs use among secondary school adolescents in Nigeria

BACKGROUND

The burden of cannabis and other illicit drug use among youth represent a serious public health problem. The aim of the present study is to explore factors associated with cannabis and other illicit drug use among Nigerian secondary school adolescents of the six geopolitical zones of the country.

METHODS

A total sample of 4078 secondary school adolescents of 32 schools from the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria participated in a cross-sectional survey in December 2015-January 2016. The association of sociodemographic characteristics, parental smoking, parental permissiveness to drink, friends' marijuana or other drugs use, risk perceptions and beliefs with the risk of lifetime cannabis and other illicit drugs use was examined through multilevel logistic regression models.

RESULTS

The mean age of the students involved in the study was 14.7 years. Older age, living in one-parent or family structures different from both parents household, parental smoking, parental permissiveness to drink alcohol, friends' use of marijuana or other drugs, low risk perception of harmful effects, and positive beliefs on marijuana or drugs use were associated with the risk of cannabis and illicit drugs use. The indicator of socioeconomic status was associated to the risk of using cannabis, but not to the risk of using illicit drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study highlights some correlates that influence the uptake of cannabis and drugs among Nigerian adolescents. Preventive programs addressing these factors could help to reduce the burden of the problem. Specific attention should be given to interventions to contrast the incorrect beliefs and perceptions.

Substance use and Psychosocial Functioning of Adolescents in Benue State, Nigeria: Assessing the role of age

AIM

To assess whether Substance Use (SU) is associated with Psychosocial Function (PF) among adolescent.

METHODS

Using a self-administered validated instrument, we obtained information on demographic, SU (defined as self-reported affirmative use of one or more of any form of alcoholic drinks, cigarettes, hemps etc) and PF [using the adolescent psychosocial functioning inventory comprising of three subscales; optimism and coping strategies (OCS), behaviour and relationship problems (BRP) and general psychosocial dysfunction designed (GPD)] among 2272 apparently healthy adolescents. PF was categorized as 'elevated' if the psychosocial functioning index (PFI) score were >75th percentile, otherwise, 'not elevated' and multivariable-adjusted logistic regression was used to compute odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of SU for elevated PF risk. In addition, we applied Johnson Neyman (JN) technique to identifying the JN significance regions at which age moderated the SU-PF relationship at a statistical significance of two-sided P<0.05.

RESULTS

Prevalence of SU and elevated PF was 50.7% and 79.8% respectively. Prevalence of elevated PF differed insignificantly by sex, but the proportion of adolescent with elevated PFI on SU (82.6%) was significantly higher (P<0.001) compared to those with elevated PFI but not on SU (76.9%). Multivariable-adjusted odds of decreased OCS risk given SU exposure was; OR (95%CI): 1.3791 (1.1458-1.6698), P=0.0007. Similarly, multivariable-adjusted odds of elevated PF risk in the light of SU exposure was; OR (95%CI): 1.4286 (1.1617-1.7567), P=0.0007. Furthermore, the JN significance regions for moderated regression analyses of odds of decreased OCS risk was between 10.4years [OR (95%CI): 0.5820 (0.1411-1.0228), P=0.0097] and 16.7years [OR (95%CI): 0.3025 (0.0001-0.6050), P=0.0500].

CONCLUSION

Adolescents on SU are about one and half times at risk of psychosocial dysfunction and age significantly attenuated the SU-decreased OCS risk link particularly in early adolescence.