Abstract

DETERMINANTS OF PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCE USE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IN ADO EKITI, SOUTH WEST, NIGERIA

Daniel Chinenyeike Offie***, Ekanem, E.Ekanem*, Owolagaba Femi, Ofuche Ekeh, Abimbola O. Ariyo, Paul Nnoaharam Dike, Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu*, Daniel Nnaoma Oguh**.Odu Yewande Adeyinka***, Chiedozi Akueshi***,Michael Tomori, Adijat,O. Suraju and Ajobiewe Oluwatobi***

ABSTRACT

Background: The rising tide of substance use among young people is a serious public health concern in resources constrained setting like Nigeria. The goal of this study was to assess the determinants of psychoactive substance use among young people in Ado Ekiti, Southwest, Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study with an analytic component was conducted among 415 eligible young people (both boys and girls) aged 10-24years in Ado Ekiti, Southwest, Nigeria from August, 2021 to January, 2022. An adapted and pretested structured questionnaire on the determinants of substance use was administered to obtain all the required variables from the study participants. A multistage cluster sampling method was used for the selection of the participants from the four randomly selected geographical areas. The data obtained was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Descriptive analysis was done to analyze quantitative variables while chi-square was used to measure the association. Multiple logistic regressions was done to ascertain the predictors of psychotropic substance use among young people while controlling possible confounders. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant for this study. Results: The median age (in years) of the participants sampled was 21 years. Findings from this study revealed that the prevalence of lifetime and current use of at least one psychoactive substance among the respondents was 75.9% and 69.9% respectively. Results from multiple regression analysis implicated participants’ age, low perceived risk of harm, and family residence status as the predictors/determinants of substance use among the participants. Conclusion: Substance use is influenced by multiple drivers that range from individual, social and environmental factors with socialization activities at the center of the factors. Multifaceted intervention strategies that will stem down the rate of substance use among the younger population is paramount, particularly within the health education arena.

Keywords: Determinants, Substance use, Young People.