Perceived Impact of Substance Abuse on Academic Performance, Physical Health, and Mental Well-Being Among Undergraduates in Ekiti State, Nigeria (Published)
Substance abuse among university undergraduates constitutes a growing public health challenge in Nigeria, with documented consequences for academic achievement and physical and psychological health. Evidence-based data on students’ perceptions of these consequences remain limited, particularly in South-Western Nigeria. The study assessed undergraduates’ knowledge of substance abuse and their perceived impacts on academic performance, physical health, and mental well-being at Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado Ekiti. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed. Using a multistage sampling technique, 102 300-level undergraduates across four departments were recruited. Data were collected through a validated structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 29. Chi-square tests were conducted at a 0.05 significance level. The majority of respondents (66.7%) correctly defined substance abuse, with alcohol identified as the most commonly abused substance (56.9%). Approximately 80.4% perceived substance abuse as causing absenteeism and poor academic outcomes, while 79.4% acknowledged its negative effect on physical health and 89.2% on mental health. Chi-square analysis showed a significant relationship between substance abuse knowledge and academic performance (χ² = 20.251, p < 0.05), but no significant association with year of study (χ² = 9.354, p > 0.05). Undergraduates demonstrated satisfactory awareness of substance abuse and its harms, yet prevalence remains concerning. Targeted campus-based health education, counseling services, and institutional policies are urgently needed to curb substance misuse and protect students’ well-being and academic potential.
Keywords: Mental Health, Undergraduates, physical health, substance abuse