Pattern of Drug and Substance Abuse and Health Implication among Students of Yobe State University Damaturu, Damaturu LGA, Yobe State, Nigeria

Abstract

Substance abuse is a worldwide public health problem and is more experienced in developing countries such as Nigeria. Its pattern varies among the different populations and is influenced by various factors such as age, gender, income, self-care orientation, educational level and environment of the individual. This research delves into the significant determination of the pattern of substance abuse and health implications among students of Yobe State University Damaturu, Yobe State. Its primary aims involve comprehensively investigating the reasons behind substance abuse, evaluating the types of substances commonly abused and determining which gender abuses drugs more than others. A school-based cross-sectional study in which a descriptive approach was used to obtain quantitative data through the use of a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire. A cluster sampling technique was used to select eligible respondents from the study population. A p-value of less than 0.005 (p<0.005) was considered statistically significant. This study revealed the pattern of substance abuse and health implications among Yobe State University students. The mean age of the respondents was 25.56 years (± 3.7). A high pattern of substance abuse (84.4%) was observed among Yobe State University Students and a higher proportion of the male participants (83.0%) abused drugs and substances more than the female respondents. The study revealed the most commonly abused substances by Yobe State University students were alcohol, cocaine, codeine, and morphine among others. There are no significant reasons why students abuse drugs. Also, the study showed that taking drugs and substances can cause mental illness and also serve as risk factors for most non-communicable diseases as the health implications of substance abuse. The majority of the male respondents consumed and abused drugs/substances more than the female respondents in the school environment.