PREVALENCE AND PATTERNS OF PHYCHO ACTIVE SUBSTANCE USE AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

Code No: 555310

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ABSTRACT

The study was designed to determine prevalence and patterns of Psychoactive Substance use
among Senior Secondary School Students in Dala Local Government Area (LGA), Kano
State Nigeria. The study adopted a cross sectional descriptive survey design. Simple random
sampling procedure was used to select two Secondary Schools out of the ten Government
Senior Secondary School in Dala LGA, of Kano State. Both Schools have a combined
population of 2293 students made up 1202 boys and 1096 girls. The two Schools sample
were Government Secondary School Kurna Asabe for boys and Government Senior
Secondary School Kuka bulukiya for girls. The instrument for Data collection was a WHO
Youth Drug Survey (WHOYDSQ) adapted questionnaire. The reliability of the instrument
was established using a test re-test and computed using Pearson Moment Correlation.
Coefficient of 0.82 was obtained. Data generated was subjected to descriptive statistics and
analysed using Chi-square. The prevalence of psychoactive substance use among
Government Senior Secondary School in Dala LGA, of Kano State shows that majority
(91.1%) of the respondents have been using psychoactive substances. The commonest
substances used were kola nut (87.4%), tobacco (15%) and cannabis (5.5%). more than half
of the users of each of the substances take it occasionally, using them on one to five days in a
month except kolanut taken on twenty or more days in a month. They include male (52.9%),
female (47.1%). Majority (68.1%) of the respondents were between 18-20 years. Most of the
respondents who use psychoactive substances were introduced by their friends (60.6%),
family (27.6%) and by nobody (5.7%). Most (27.9%) first use kolanut at the age less than 10
years, alcoholic beverages at the age of 11-12years (25.6%) while others like tobacco,
cannabis at 19-and above years (38.3%). Major reasons for using psychoactive substance
include to be sociable (25.4%) and for enjoyment (24.4%). There was significant difference
(p < 0.05) between Males and females in psychoactive substance use. The pattern of use is
dependent on the type of psychoactive substances (p < 0.05). Also the psychoactive
substances use based on lifetime use is dependent on the age at first use (p < 0.05). In
conclusion the prevalence of substance abuse among Senior Secondary School students is
high as such Government, Parents and Teachers needs to joint hands and address the
problems.

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
Psychoactive Substance use and dependence cause a significant burden to the individuals and
societies throughout the world. The World Health Report (2010) indicated that 8.9% of the
total burden of disease comes from the use of psychoactive substances. The report showed
that tobacco accounted for 4.1%, alcohol 4%, and illicit drugs 0.8% of the burden of disease
in 2010. Much of the burden attributable to substance use and dependence is the result of a
wide variety of health and social problems. Data from the (World Health Organization, 2011)
show large-scale seizures of cocaine, heroin, cannabis and amphetamine-type stimulants in
different parts of the world. Availability of cocaine, heroin and cannabis depends on the level
of cultivation in source countries and on the success or failure of trafficking organizations.
However, even with increased levels of law enforcement activities, there always seems to be
enough available to users. According to (UNODC, 2011) estimates show that about 200
million people make illicit use of one type of illicit substance or another.
Psychoactive substance use is a social problem that has spread and increased rapidly in
educational institutions especially among secondary school students (Neeraja, 2011). This
social problem is considered an issue of serious concern as it adversely affects the lives and
performance of students involved as well as the harmonious functioning of the entire
structure of the society. Use of psychoactive drugs and other associated problems are inimical
to the survival and effective functioning of human societies. A significant number of
untimely deaths and accidents have been linked to the activities of persons under the
influence of one psychoactive drug or the other (Shelly, 2010).