Influence of Information Behaviour and Perceived Risks on Substance Use of Undergraduates in Universities in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of information behaviour and perceived risks on substance use among undergraduates in universities in Ogun State, Nigeria.The study adopted survey research design. The population comprised 82,809 undergraduates in 14 approved private, state and federal universities in Ogun State, Nigeria. Krejcie and Morgan table was used to determine the sample size of 1,513 undergraduates. A two-stage random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. A validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The Cronbach‟s alpha reliability coefficients for the constructs ranged from 0.89 to 0.99. The response rate of 93.9% was achieved. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential (multiple regression) statistics. Findings showed that information behaviour and perceived risks had no combined significant influence on substance use among undergraduates (Adj R² = -.001, F(2, 1417)= .627, p>0.05). Additionally, among other findings, it was discovered that information behaviour had a significant influence on substance use among the undergraduates (R²= .022, β = .149, t(1,414)= 6.420, p<0.05 The study concluded that information behaviour and perceived risks did not jointly influence substance use. However, both information behaviour and perceived risks, on individual basis influenced substance use. The study recommended that university management and stakeholders should intensify efforts to increase awareness programs to eradicate substance use on university campuses. Intervention from World Health Organization.