Prevalence and Behaviour Effects of Psychoactive Substance Use Among University Students in South-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Psychoactive substances can alter consciousness, mood and behaviour of an individual user.
Objectives: To determine the pattern of psychoactive substance use and its mental and behavioural effects on university students in Enugu, Nigeria.
Methods: A descriptive study was conducted among 422 undergraduates of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. A simple random sampling technique was used in sample selection. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Analysis was done using Epi-info version 3.3.2 computer software.
Results: Psychoactive substance indulged in by the students in decreasing order were alcohol 212(50.2%), coffee 200(47.4%), kolanut 128(30.3%), tobacco (smoke) 51 (12.1%) and marijuana 6(1.4%). When disaggregated by sex, the pattern of use of these substances between male and female students respectively was as follows: alcohol 196(92.5%) and 16(7.5%), coffee 122(61.0%) and 78(39.0%), kolanut 98(76.6%) and 30 (23.4%), tobacco (smoke) 49(96.1%) and two (1.0%) and marijuana 6(100.0%) and 0(0.0%). Most students, 194(46.0%) had used these substances for over five years from the time of the study. The observed difference in the use of psychoactive substance between male and female students was highly statistically significant (p<0.001)
Conclusion: There is prevalent use of psychoactive substance among the undergraduates of the University of Nigeria. Drug use intervention programme is advocated to stem this tide.

Keywords: Psychoactive substance, behaviour effects, prevalence, students, South-Eastern Nigeria