Correlates and Modalities of Tackling Substance Abuse Among Tertiary and Secondary School Students in Bayelsa State

¹Directorate of Pharmaceutical Services, Public Health Pharmacy Unit, Ministry of Health Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

²Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

³Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Science. Bayelsa Medical University, Bayelsa State. Nigeria

*Corresponding author: Keme K Yenagoa, Directorate of Pharmaceutical Services, Public Health Pharmacy Unit, Ministry of Health Bayelsa State, Nigeria, E-mail: [email protected]

Received Date: July 11, 2024

Published Date: September 16, 2024

Citation: Yenagoa KK, et al. (2024). Correlates and Modalities of Tackling Substance Abuse Among Tertiary and Secondary School Students in Bayelsa State. Mathews J Pharma Sci. 8(2):33.

Copyrights: Yenagoa KK, et al. © (2024).

ABSTRACT

Substance abuse is common among teens and young adults. It has become a public health problem in Nigeria and other parts of the world. This study aimed to determine the correlates and possible modalities of tackling substance abuse among tertiary and secondary school students in Bayelsa State of Nigeria. The study is a descriptive correlational cross-sectional study. The sampling technique used was simple random sampling. A sampling frame was made for six faculties in Niger Delta University. Likewise, this was done for the different classes in the Secondary School from junior secondary two to senior secondary three. The sample size for this study was 308 for secondary school and 384 for tertiary school. A structured questionnaire was used to collect participants' data. A total of 68.4% of males and 31.6% female participated in the study. Peer pressure, early drug use, social gatherings, academic failure, low grades, male gender neighbourhood, and low self-esteem were some correlates of substance abuse and inclusion of substance abuse programs in the school curriculum, restricting accessibility to substances of abuse, allowing professionals to handle medicines and introducing appropriate policies to curb the menace of substance abuse as modalities to reduce substance abuse. The institutions were associated with the correlates of substance abuse.

Keywords: Correlates, Modalities, Substance Abuse, Tertiary, Secondary Students.

INTRODUCTION

Youth drug abuse has become one of the most alarming health-related issues in Nigeria and the rest of the globe [1]. Drug abuse continues to have a devastating impact on both the quality of life and the output of society. Drug overdoses killed an estimated 183,000 people in 2012, with a mortality rate of 40.0% (range: 20.8-49.3%) per million people between the ages of 15 and 64 [2]. Substance abuse is a worldwide epidemic that is rising at an alarming rate [3]. Seventy-five percent (75%) will have tried alcohol; half of them will use an illicit drug and over forty percent of them smoke cigarettes by the time they are in high school. More than twenty percent of them, however, use prescription drugs for nonmedical purposes [4]. Adolescent substance abuse has been linked to a variety of causes, including self-described experimental curiosity, peer pressure, parental absence, personality issues caused by poverty, the need for energy to work long hours, the availability of drugs, and the desire to avoid withdrawal symptoms [5]. Schools in Nigeria are plagued by drug usage, according to the Nigerian National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Around 20% of students in Lagos State have used a psychoactive substance at some point in their life [6]. Students at Nigeria's secondary and tertiary institutions have been studied to discover the most often utilized drugs. According to the survey, the most often used drugs were cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, tranquilizers, kola nuts, inhalants, and cough syrups [7-9].

Youths and adults who use drugs face a wide range of negative outcomes, including poor academic performance, physical health issues, stigmatization, family and social-economic difficulties, unemployment, and misbehavior [10]. Nigeria has seen a rise in drug abuse-related issues as a consequence of an increase in the manufacturing, distribution, advertising, and easy access of substances, as well as a shift in society's values [11,12]. Aside from child malnutrition [13], substance abuse has increased the mortality and mobility indices in Nigeria. This study was based on the hypothesis that there was no significant difference in the correlates of substance abuse among tertiary and secondary school students in Nigeria. Thus, the correlates and possible modalities of tackling substance abuse among tertiary and secondary school students in Bayelsa State of Nigeria were evaluated in the study.

METHODS

Study Area and Population

This study was conducted at Niger Delta University and Government Model Secondary School Sagbama all in Bayelsa State of Nigeria. The target population for this study is all regular students of Niger Delta University, boarding and non-boarding students of Government Model Secondary School Sagbama. In the 2018/2019 academic session the population of full-time students of Niger Delta University according to the Academic planning unit of NDU gives a total student population of 17169, while that of Government Model Secondary School Sagbama from the school register gives a total of 1342 students.

Study Design and Sampling Method

This study utilized a descriptive correlational cross-sectional design. A sampling frame was made for six faculties in Niger Delta University: Pharmacy, Engineering, Art, Social Sciences, Management, and Sciences. Likewise, this was done for the different classes in the Secondary School from junior secondary two to senior secondary three. Then random sampling was done for the various departments and levels in the university setting. Random sampling was also done for the various classes and in their arms in the secondary school. Yamane’s (1967) formula was used to determine the sample size. Where 390 were obtained from the university and 308 from the secondary school, bringing the total of students sampled to 698.

Data Collection and Analysis

Data were collected by using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. Following a pre-test, the final data collected were analyzed with the aid of SPSS version 23.0, and a Chi-square t-test was used for association analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 700 study instruments were distributed and 692 were retrieved properly filled and used for the analysis. This gives a response rate of 99 percent.

Demographic Data of Respondents:

Figure 1. Gender of Participants

A total of 68.4% of respondents were males and 31.6% were females, 23%, 31.1% and 21.5% were respectively aged 12-15, 16-18; and 25-35 years (Figure 1). The majority (94.5%) of respondents were single, 55.5% were tertiary school students distributed among the 6 Faculties and 44.5% were secondary school students spread across class 3 (JSS3) to class 6 (SSS3).

Table 1. Socio-demographic data of respondents (n = 692)

Correlates of Substance Abuse

Responses on perspectives concerning the correlates of substance abuse from the different levels, departments, and faculties in the university and different classes in the secondary school were drawn. The data collected were carefully rated on a 5-point Likert scale of; 1 Strongly agreed, 2 Agreed, 3 Disagreed, 4 Strongly disagreed, and 5 Neutral. It was revealed that some respondents from both secondary and tertiary school students responded positively and negatively on their perspective on the correlates of substance abuse as shown in Table 2. Data showed that 87%, 83.7%, 81.2%, and 74.4% of respondents respectively with a mean of 52.5 strongly agreed and agreed positively that peer pressure influence, early initiation to drug use, illicit manufacture, and disposal of drugs and certain social gatherings among others as factors associated with substance abuse among students in secondary school. Likewise, 88.1%, 81.3%, 78.9%, and 77.3% of respondents respectively with a mean of 52.4 strongly agreed and agreed positively that peer group influence, early initiation to drug use, illicit manufacture and disposal of drugs, and certain social gatherings (birthday parties, welcome parties) as factors associated with substance abuse among respondents in tertiary school students as shown in Table 2. Also, data from the study revealed that 72.1%, 70.1%, 67.0%, and 64.6% of respondents respectively with a Mean of 37.1 disagreed and strongly disagreed with lack of commitment to school, history of abuse or neglect, family history of problem behavior and family history of substance abuse are not factors associated with substance abuse among respondents in secondary school students.

Table 2. Correlates of substance abuse

Legend: n – number, % - percent

While 67.8%, 66.1%, 61.8%, and 61.2% of respondents respectively with a mean of 34.9 disagreed and strongly disagreed with lack of commitment to school, history of abuse or neglect, family history of problem behavior, and family history of substance abuse among others are not factors associated with substance abuse among respondents in tertiary school students as shown in table1 above.

Possible modalities to tackle substance abuse

Data was collected from the respondents on their opinions concerning the possible modalities to tackle substance abuse from the various classes in the secondary school and the various levels, departments, and faculties in the university. These data collected were carefully rated on a 5-point Likert scale of 5. Strongly agreed, 4. Agreed, 3. Disagreed, 2. Strongly disagreed and 1. Neutral. Data from the study revealed that 99.4%, 94.5%, 93.8%, and 91.3% of respondents respectively agreed and strongly agreed positively on the provision of counseling facilities, drugs to be handled by professionals, enforcement programs, and the addition of educational programs among others with a mean of 91.8 as possible modalities to tackle substance abuse from respondents from secondary school students. While 99%, 94.2%, 93.5%, and 92.4% respectively with a mean of 91.7 were reported as possible modalities to tackle substance abuse among tertiary school students such as the provision of counseling facilities, drugs to be handled by professionals, provision of recreational facilities and enforcement programs among others. As shown in Table 3.

Table 3. Possible modalities to tackle substance abuse

Legend: n -number, % percent

There was no significant difference between the correlates of substance abuse among tertiary and secondary school students. Data showed that there was an association between the correlates of substance abuse among tertiary and secondary school students. All parameters given showed P-value = 0.00 as seen in Table 4.

Table 4. Chi-Square Analysis on the Correlates of Substance Abuse Stratified by Institutions

Data showed the predominant age range as 16-18 years which is similar to other reported studies by Adje DEU, et. al, [18] (11-20 years). Atoyebi, and Atoyebi [15] (16-19years). This is the period of adolescence and youthful activities start as an individual, exploration of self-potentials, curiosity to find out or do things on their own, and some form of independence from parents and guardians. Patton GC, et al. [19]. The majority (94.9%) of respondents were single, which is mostly the schooling stage of life and this is similar to other studies conducted by Njoku, and Nekede [20].

Data revealed the correlates of substance abuse both from secondary and tertiary schools have e positive perspective with 52.5% strongly agreeing and agreeing with peer pressure influence, early initiation to drug use, illicit manufacture and disposal of drugs, certain social gatherings (birthday parties, welcome parties), as a result of low school grades, academic failure, male gender, community neighborhood is favorable, as a result of low self-esteem, not living with one’s parents, history of abuse or neglect, lack of commitment to school, family history of substance abuse and family history of problem behavior. In summary, these above factors have been reported to be enabling or enhancing factors to substance use and abuse. This is consistent with studies conducted by Ongwae MN [21], Lawal and Marafa [22], and Oshodi et al [23]. This is also in line with developmental theorists such as Trucco EM [24], as adolescents and young adults are mostly influenced in using or abuse of drugs, based on risk-taking, peer pressure, sexual drives, and when academic performance is not to their expectations. Also, according to social interaction theory, drugs are being taken to build body mass (muscles) which they imbibe from advertisements from media houses and in social media using athletic-looking males, and bikini-clad women in their commercials. Most adverts, especially those for alcohol and cigarettes associate substance use with high self-esteem, success, and happiness [25]. This study is similar to other empirical studies whereby related factors such as peer influence, academic pressure, social gatherings, environment, problematic family history, and male gender are commonly associated with substance abuse among students [9,26,27].

While several modalities have been suggested to curb the menace of substance abuse among students at different levels, this study has earmarked a few points drawn from the field experience. Introduction of counseling sections for parents and most drugs should be handled by trained professionals. This is in line with other studies conducted by Abikoye, and Adekoya [28], and Kanmodi KK, et al [29]. Also, the provision of counseling facilities, the addition of educational programs on drug and substance abuse, the introduction of counseling sections among students, the stipulation of penalties and fines for offenders, the establishment of drug rehab programs/centers in schools or related institutions, provision of enforcement programs, more frequent hostel checking/monitoring and provision of recreational facilities in schools were some techniques derived from the survey, which is in tandem with other studies conducted [27,30-34]. This also gives the place to medical professionals, especially pharmacists to utilize their counseling and pharmaceutical care roles and curb the menace of substance abuse [35-38]. Overall, the findings of this study are similar with previous reports [39].

These modalities if effectively put in place; will tackle the menace of substance abuse among tertiary and secondary school students and to a large extent of the society. Data from the analysis showed that there was a significant difference among the tertiary and secondary school students. Thus, the null hypothesis was rejected and an alternate hypothesis ‘there is a significant difference in the correlates of substance abuse among tertiary and secondary school students’ was accepted. This implies that there is a relationship between tertiary and secondary school students on the correlates of substance abuse such as the neighborhood being favorable to substance abuse, peer pressure, early initiation to drug use, and social gatherings [40,41].

CONCLUSION

This study identified various correlates or factors that necessitate, enable, or enhance the use and abuse of substances from the home front, with friends, and neighborhood to various schooling activities. Whereas, the possible modalities put forward can curb or minimize the use and abuse of substances. Since substance use and abuse have become a public health menace affecting not only the individual but, the general society. Therefore, the government and all relevant agencies need to take appropriate steps in curbing this menace, putting strategic measures and formulation of interventional policies capable of curbing or minimizing substance abuse among tertiary and secondary school students; inclusion of drug/substance abuse programs in the school curriculum, setting up substance abuse clubs for students’ enlightenment, regular substance abuse educational campaigns and appropriate laws should be put in place for the control and sale of these drugs to students and other users in the populace.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

None.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

There are no conflicts of interest among the authors.

REFERENCES

1. Alimi BG, Bintu KG, Ahmed G, Hassan S. (2020). Drugs Abuse among Youth in Maiduguri, Borno State. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology (ISSN: 2456-2165).
2. Jacobus J, Tapert SF. (2014). Effects of cannabis on the adolescent brain. Curr Pharm Des. 20(13):2186-2193.
3. Perpetua Ngosoo C. (2016). Drug Abuse and Health of the Nigerian Youth: A Call to “Listen First”. Science Journal of Public Health. 4(5): 7-11.
4. Volkow ND. (2014). National Institute on Drug Abuse; Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide, NIH Publication Number 14-7953.
5. Atwoli L, Mungla PA, Ndung'u MN, Kinoti KC, Ogot EM. (2011). Prevalence of substance use among college students in Eldoret, western Kenya. BMC Psychiatry. 11:34.
6. Ojima Adejoh S, Olorunlana A, Babatunde Adisa W, Onwuasoanya O. (2020). Do Peer and Family Factors Determine Substance Abuse? Voices of Adolescents Undergoing Treatment in a Psychiatric Ward, Lagos, Nigeria. Archives of Psychiatry Research: An International Journal of Psychiatry and Related Sciences. 56(2):155-168.
7. Abasiubong F, Udobang JA, Idung AU, Udoh SB, Jombo HE. (2014). A Comparative Study of Pattern of Substance Use in Two Nigerian Cities Located in the Southern and Northern Nigeria. An International Multidisciplinary Journal. 8(2):33.
8. Ani GN. (2014). Prevalence of Substance Abuse among Senior Secondary Students in Mainland Local Government, Lagos. Global Journal of Medicine and Public Health. 3(6):78-86.
9. Adeyemo Florence O, Beatrice O, Okpala PU, Oghale O. (2016). Prevalence of drug abuse amongst university students in Benin City, Nigeria. Public Health Research. 6(2):31-37.
10. Al-Dmour H, Masa'deh R, Salman A, Abuhashesh M, Al-Dmour R. (2020). Influence of Social Media Platforms on Public Health Protection Against the COVID-19 Pandemic via the Mediating Effects of Public Health Awareness and Behavioral Changes: Integrated Model. J Med Internet Res. 22(8):e19996.
11. Manu E, Douglas M, Ntsaba MJ. (2021). Contextual influences of illicit adolescent marijuana cultivation and trading in the Inqguza Hill local municipality of South Africa: implications for public health policy. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy. 16(1):6.
12. Miediegha O, Bunu JS. (2020). Pharmacovigilance framework and extent of medications adverse reaction surveillance in Southern Nigeria. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 9(6):2009-2017.
13. Otele DO, Bunu JS, Edoni E, (2020). Mothers’ perception analysis on nutritional health and malnutrition among children under 5 years in the Niger Delta Region. Asian Journal of Research and Reports in Gastroenterology. 2(1):1-9.
14. Peter OA, Joshua EF, Owonaro AE. (2016). Prevalence, Best Environment for Smoking, And Other Correlates of Smoking Habits in Yenagoa Local Council Area of Bayelsa State. European Journal of Biomedical. 3(12):157-163.
15. Atoyebi OA, Atoyebi OE. (2013). The pattern of substance abuse among senior secondary school students in a South-western Nigerian city. International Review of Social Sciences and Humanities. 4(2):54-65.
16. Makanjuola AB, Daramola TO, Obembe AO. (2007). Psychoactive substance use among medical students in a Nigerian university. World Psychiatry. 6(2):112-114.
17. Adeyemi K, Akpotu N. (2004). Gender analysis of student enrolment in Nigerian Universities. Higher Education. 48:361-378.
18. Adje DEU, Oyita GI, Eniojukan JF. (2015). Substance abuse among adolescents: prevalence and patterns of alcohol consumption among senior secondary school students in Abraka, Delta state, Nigeria. Sch Acad J Pharm. 4(1):63-69.
19. Patton GC, Olsson CA, Skirbekk V, Saffery R, Wlodek ME, Azzopardi PS, et al. (2018). Adolescence and the next generation. Nature. 554(7693):458-466.
20. Njoku JC, Nekede FP. (2015). Marital Status as a Determinant of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Outcome Among Cannabis Abusing Young Adults. European Science Journal. 2(1):16-23.
21. Ongwae MN. (2016). A study of the causes and effects of drug and substance abuse among students in selected secondary schools in Starehe Sub County, Nairobi County (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi), Kenya.
22. Lawal AS, Marafa B. (2016). Management of Students’ Discipline in a Drug and Substance Abuse-Laden School Environment. In Chaos, Complexity and Leadership 2014. Springer, Cham. pp. 485-493.
23. Oshodi OY, Aina OF, Onajole AT. (2010). Substance use among secondary school students in an urban setting in Nigeria: prevalence and associated factors. Afr J Psychiatry (Johannesbg). 13(1):52-57.
24. Trucco EM. (2020). A review of psychosocial factors linked to adolescent substance use. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 196:172969.
25. Mastorci F, Bastiani L, Trivellini G, Doveri C, Vassalle C, Pingitore A. (2020). A new integrated approach for adolescent health and well-being: the AVATAR project. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 18(1):77.
26. Udoh IU, Chukwueke C, Okafor VN. (2020). Curbing Drug/Substance Abuse among Students in Universities in Nigeria: The Role of Librarians. Research Journal of Library and Information Science. 4(3):8-15.
27. Yusuf FA. (2010). Factors influencing substance abuse among undergraduate students in Osun State, Nigeria. African research review. 4(4): 330-340.
28. Abikoye GE, Adekoya JA. (2010). Predicting substance abuse in a sample of Nigerian undergraduate students: The role of core self-evaluations and delay of gratification. Psychological Studies. 55(4):299-307.
29. Kanmodi KK, Omoleke SA, Aliyu CU, Martins JJ, Nwafor NJ, Ogundipe PA, et al. (2020). Impact of drug abuse among students: A case study of the school of health technology, Jega, Kebbi state, Nigeria. Indian Journal of Public Health. 11(03):1583.
30. Umukoro EK, Eduviere AT, Ahama EE, Moke EG, Edje KE, Omorodion LI. (2021). Substance Abuse: Awareness and Attitude among Secondary School Students in Sapele, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management. 25(3):347-351.
31. Arute JE, Oyita GI, Eniojukan JF. (2015). Substance Abuse among Adolescents: 2. Prevalence and Patterns of Cigarette smoking among senior secondary school students in Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria. IOSR Journal of Pharmacy. 5(1):40-47.
32. Baba T, Ganai A, Qadri SS, Margoob M, Iqbal Q, Khan Z. (2013). An epidemiological study on substance abuse among college students of North India (Kashmir valley). International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health. 2(3):562-567.
33. Abasiubong F, Idung AU, Udoh SB, Ekanem US. (2012). Parental influence on substance use among young people in the Niger Delta region, Nigeria. African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies. 11(1):9-16.
34. Idowu A, Aremu AO, Olumide A, Ogunlaja AO. (2018). Substance abuse among students in selected secondary schools of an urban community of Oyo-state, South West Nigeria: implication for policy action. Afr Health Sci. 18(3):776-785.
35. Bunu JS, Otuaga M. (2020). The Roles of Pharmacists in Maternal and Child Health of Primary Health Care system. South Asian Research Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2(5):74-78.
36. Bunu JS, Stella FU, Denmo OO, (2021). Extensive Analysis of Pharmacists’ Roles and Services towards Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. RADS Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences. 9(2):86-93.
37. Omeire ND, Bunu JS, Igwilo IC. (2021). Effects of COVID-19 global pandemic on pharmacists-patients relationship: The Nigeria experience. West African Journal of Pharmacy. 32(1):12-23.
38. DN Nyalas-Omeire, Bunu JS, OD Balogun, AC Oparah. (2023). Assessment of patients' satisfaction level with pharmaceutical care services in an outpatient department of a public secondary healthcare facility. IOSR Journal of Pharmacy. 13(6):09-15.
39. Fente AE, Aduema W, Bunu ME. (2023). Substance abuse among students of Bayelsa State school of nursing, Nigeria. European journal of pharmaceutical and medical research. 10(9):75-80.
40. Charles RO, Bunu JS, Charles O, Okafor P. (2024). Assessment of Teenagers’ Involvement in Drug and Substance Abuse in Nigeria. Transdisciplinary Insights in Life Sciences. 2(3):181-194.
41. Niger Delta University Academic Planning Unit. (2020). Available at: www.ndu.edu.ng. Accessed February 2023.