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Substance Abuse Among Female Senior Secondary School Students In Anambra State South Eastern Nigeria
Abstract
Objective: To study the prevalence of substance abuse among female secondary school students in Anambra State.
Design: This is a cross sectional study.
Materials and Methods:
A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on smoking, use of sedatives and alcohol drinking habits from 725 students of nine randomly selected female senior secondary schools, 3 each from the three senatorial zones of the state.
Results: Out of a study population of 725, 34 or 4.7% of the girls smoked tobacco (cigarette) while 69 or 9.5% indulged in alcohol and 109 or 15% took sedatives as a means of inducing sleep. There was no statistical difference between the smokers in the three classes while significant statistical difference existed between the classes in terms of use of alcohol and sedatives (p<0.05). Alcohol consumption peaked in class 2, while the use of sedatives decreased progressively from year 1 to year 3.
Conclusions: Though the over all prevalence of use of tobacco and alcohol was low compared to American society, efforts should be made by guidance counselors and primary care physicians to provide information to female students on the dangers inherent in the use of these substances. Students should also be encouraged to establish drug free clubs at schools to disseminate information on the disadvantages of substance use and discourage their use.
Key Words: Substance abuse, senior secondary students, females
Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol. 7(2) 2004: 53-55
Design: This is a cross sectional study.
Materials and Methods:
A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on smoking, use of sedatives and alcohol drinking habits from 725 students of nine randomly selected female senior secondary schools, 3 each from the three senatorial zones of the state.
Results: Out of a study population of 725, 34 or 4.7% of the girls smoked tobacco (cigarette) while 69 or 9.5% indulged in alcohol and 109 or 15% took sedatives as a means of inducing sleep. There was no statistical difference between the smokers in the three classes while significant statistical difference existed between the classes in terms of use of alcohol and sedatives (p<0.05). Alcohol consumption peaked in class 2, while the use of sedatives decreased progressively from year 1 to year 3.
Conclusions: Though the over all prevalence of use of tobacco and alcohol was low compared to American society, efforts should be made by guidance counselors and primary care physicians to provide information to female students on the dangers inherent in the use of these substances. Students should also be encouraged to establish drug free clubs at schools to disseminate information on the disadvantages of substance use and discourage their use.
Key Words: Substance abuse, senior secondary students, females
Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol. 7(2) 2004: 53-55
