Socio-Demographic And School-Related Predictors Of The Prevalence And Risk Levels Of Substance Abuse Among Adolescents In Oyo State, Nigeria
Keywords:
Adolescent, Predictors, Prevalence, Risk Level, School-related, Socio-demographic, Substance AbuseAbstract
Adolescent substance abuse remains a significant public health concern in Nigeria. Understanding the socio-demographic and school-related factors that predict adolescent substance use is essential for targeted prevention. This study aimed to identify the predictors of substance abuse prevalence and risk levels among adolescents in Oyo State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 600 senior secondary school students. Data were collected using the WHO Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Statistical significance was determined at p<0.05. Findings showed that the prevalence of substance use was 35.7%, with moderate risk (63, 10.5%) and high risk of substance abuse (149, 24.8%). Significant predictors of substance abuse prevalence were: male gender (AOR=2.435), polygamous family type (AOR=1.767), living alone (AOR=3.303), self-employed (AOR = 0.521) or civil servant fathers (AOR = 0.448) and self-employed (AOR = 0.464) or civil servant mothers (AOR = 0.425). For the substance abuse risk levels, male gender (AOR=2.332), polygamous family (AOR=1.519), living with a single parent (AOR=1.706), and living alone (AOR=3.219) were significant predictors of higher risk levels. Students in boys-only schools (AOR=2.517) and mixed schools (AOR=2.401) had significantly higher risk compared to girls-only schools. In conclusion, male gender, polygamous family type, living alone or with a single parent, parental unemployment, and attending boys-only or mixed schools were significant predictors of prevalence and risk levels of adolescent substance abuse. Prioritising interventions to at-risk subgroups with community service collaborations may help mitigate the menace of substance abuse in Nigeria.
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