Substance abuse is the abuse of psychoactive substances; such as, alcohol and illegal narcotics. Drug misuse has become a worldwide epidemic, posing a serious threat to public health on a global scale. It is associated with increasingly frightening physical, psychological, social and economic consequences; however, there is limited study on prevalence and associated factors of substance abuse among secondary school students in Akure South LGA Ondo State, which is the objective of this study. This study utilized a descriptive cross-sectional methodology. Multistage sampling technique was used to select the schools and a Taro Yamane formula to determine sample size of 365 pupils. Proportional sample was calculated for each school and participants selected randomly. The results revealed a substance abuse prevalence of 16.4%, with palm wine and coffee being the most commonly used substances. Other substances included, cough mixture, local gin, alcohol, codeine (cough syrup), cannabis, cigarette, Rohypnol and tramadol. The key influencers of substance use among the respondents included to boost energy (38.6%), to think and read more clearly (31.5%), recreational purposes (25.5%), use by friends and colleagues (24.4%) and to forget about problems (20%). Multiple substance use was higher among older male students and those living with their fathers only. All users of alcohol and cannabis reportedly took them whenever they felt like; so also, did high percentages of users of the local gin, palm wine, tobacco, and Rohypnol. Substances taken mostly twice a day were cough mixture and coffee; and cigarettes once a day. School nurses and counsellors in Akure South LGA, and stakeholders in adolescent health and development, should consider the high prevalence and pattern of substance use reported in this study in planning context-relevant interventions in their locations. This will promote all-round health of their students, and the safety and security of their community.
Keywords: Prevalence, Secondary Schools, Students, Substance abuse, associated factors
