Olanrewaju (Lanre) Onigbogi
O. Onigbogi. Department of Community Health, University of Lagos, Nigeria
Background: Substance abuse has been found to be on the increase among youth in Nigeria in recent times mainly due to the increased availability of these substances on Nigerian streets leading to health and social consequences. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of substance abuse among out-of-school youth in Ikeja Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among out-of-school youths working as motor boys in Ikeja Local Government Area of Lagos State. We used a multi-stage sampling technique to select the participants and information was obtained using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21 and knowledge scores were graded as “good”, ‘fair’ and “poor” and practice was scored based on reports from the respondents.
Results: A total of 122 youth participated in this study who were all males. The mean age was 12.40 ± 1.32 years. Majority of respondents, 72 (59.0 %) had a poor knowledge of substance abuse. Increased frequency of substance abuse was associated with less education (OR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.24–1.62) and being a product of a dysfunctional home (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.31–1.73). Decreased frequency of abuse was associated with increasing age (OR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.11–0.51) and regular attendance of a religious meetings (OR = 0.45, 95% CI:0.23–0.71) The most commonly used substances among the respondents were alcohol (31.3%), cigarette smoking (23.1%), marijuana (10.2%), codeine-containing cough syrups (7.4%) and tramadol (5.6%).
Conclusion: The study shows low level of knowledge and high prevalence of substance abuse in this group. Interventions should take into consideration the factors that have been found to increase the prevalence of abuse.