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com

PREVALENCE OF DRUG/SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG PUBLIC

SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

*Vincent, C. C. N.1, Vincent, C. S.2 and Vincent K. D.3

1. Department of Nursing Science, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State

2. Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Federal University of Technology,
Owerri, Imo State
3. Department of French, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State

* Corresponding Author’s email: chyvin72@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Substance abuse among public secondary school students is reality that is spreading at an
alarming rate. If not checked, it could destroy the youth who are in their formative stage in life.
This study investigated prevalence of drug/substance abuse among public secondary school
students in Imo State, Nigeria. It adopted a descriptive survey design. The target population of the
study was 168,852 public secondary school students in Imo State with sample size of 540 students
which were selected by a simple random technique. The instrument used for data collection was
substance abuse questionnaire (SAQ), constructed by the researcher and was validated and
reliability ascertained through test retest treatment using Pearson Product Moment Correlation
Coefficient which yielded a reliability index of 0.87. Data were analyzed using percentages, mean
scores, t-test, and f-test. The study established that Alcohol, Cigarettes, Indian hemp/’Igbo’and
Marijuana were found to be the most commonly abused substances. The factors that influence
students most into substance abuse were availability, peer pressure, media influence, dependency,
curiosity and copying of idols. The study also revealed that there is significant difference in the
prevalence of substance abuse between male and female ( 2 = 4.21; P < 0.05); different
arms/classes ( 2 = 6.3; P < 0.05); and urban and rural public secondary school students in Imo
State ( 2 = 2.63; P < 0.05). The study’s recommendations were that areas around the schools
should be made as drug free as possible, and the education of students on substance abuse should
start in primary schools.

INTRODUCTION

About 230 million people, or 5 percent of the world’s adult population, are estimated to have
abused drug at least once in 2010 (WDR, 2012). Alcohol and other drugs (Khat and tobacco) users
number about 27 million, which is 0.6 percent of the world adult population (UNODC, 2014).
What is more surprising is that, alcohol alone kill around 0.2 million people each year, shattering
families and bringing misery to thousands of other people (Sampou, 2013). Similarly, WDR (2012)
reported that, alcohol and drug use undermines economic and social development and contributes
to crime, instability, insecurity and the spread of HIV. Not only that, alcohol and drug abuse is
major burdens to society; causing economic costs, health cost, crime-related costs and losses in
productivity (Deressa & Azazh, 2011).
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Recent trends indicate that the use of substances, mainly alcohol, chewing khat and smoking
cigarette have dramatically increased particularly in developing countries (Watson, 2012). Alcohol,
especially in high doses, or when combined with khat or tobacco, continues to claim the lives of
many people. It is estimated that 9% of the global population aged 12 or older are classified with
dependence on psychoactive substances such as alcohol (Martens, O’Connor & Beck, 2006).
Heavy consumption of alcohol when shared with chewing Khat is associated with many
psychological problems including euphoria, hyperactivity, anorexia, insomnia, lethargy and
depression. In addition, the combined use of alcohol and khat increase sexual risky behavior
contributing to the spread of HIV infection (Watson, 2012).
Over 815,000 students were abusing substances out of which 367,050 were girls (Nweke, 2013). A
baseline survey on drug and substance abuse in the years 2009 and 2010 revealed that more than a
fifth of primary school pupils in Nigeria have taken alcohol and the figure rises to more than three-
fourths for university students (WHO, 2011). Sampou (2013) found out that in Nigeria, more than
22.7% of the primary school children have taken alcohol, a figure that rises to 57.9% in secondary
schools and to 68% among university students. A large number of students across all age groups
have been exposed to alcohol, tobacco, “igbo”, (Marijuana), glue, and even hard substances such
as heroin and cocaine. During the annual general meeting of Secondary Schools Principals in Imo
State, Nigeria in 2009, a shocking statistics was revealed on the prevalence of substance abuse in
secondary schools in the country. It was documented that 33.3% take alcohol, 8.3% smoke
cigarettes, 3.0% to 9.1% smoke marijuana/igbo (Anyaehie, 2009). Ibekwe (2011) and Ogu (2011)
agree on the following behaviours exhibited by those who abuse substances; watering eyes and
nose, unusually talkative hence noise making, unusual quietness, unpredictable temper,
concentration lapse, and loss of interest in education.

The problem of substance abuse is so grave that though it was originally conceived as the problem
of a ‘select few’, it has extended beyond the usual characteristics of abusers being male, adult and
urban based people to now include female, youngsters and rural dwellers. These abusers
erroneously believe that drugs enhance their performance, put them in good mood(Ajala, 2009). In
Nigeria, alcohol and cigarette are legal substances but, the two have been discovered to cause
physical damage to human bodies. These substances have also said to be “gateway drugs” to other
more potent drugs like heroin and cocaine (UNDCP, 2008). In Nigeria, it has been reported that
smoking (tobacco) causes 90.0% of lung cancer, 30.0% of all cancers, and 80.0% of other chronic
lung diseases (Shokunbi, 2010).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The research study was conducted in Imo State,
Nigeria. Imo is one of the 36 states of Nigeria and lies in the South East of Nigeria with Owerri as
its capital and largest city. Imo State is bordered by Abia State on the East, River Niger and Delta
State to the West, Anambra State on the North and Rivers State to the South. The target populations
used for the study were all the students of public secondary schools in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
There are 104 public secondary schools in Imo State making a total population of 168,852 students
(Anyaehie, 2009). Sample size of 540 students were used and was determined by the use of Taro
Yamane. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the participants. The first stage
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involved the stratification of the schools into three (3) zones which are; Orlu, Okigwe, and Owerri
zones and then simple random sampling was used to select the schools in each of the zones that was
studied. Stage two involved the selection of schools to be studied and using simple random
sampling by balloting, schools were selected from each of the zones by school location which
include; urban and rural schools. Stage three involved the selection of two schools from each of the
locations (urban and rural schools) to be studied and using simple random sampling by balloting
and replacement, two schools were selected from each of the locations making a total of twelve
schools. Then in each of the schools selected according to zones and locations, simple random
sampling was used to select forty five (45) students to be studied. Inclusion criteria for the schools:
four schools from each zone (Owerri, Okigwe and Orlu) came from two schools from urban
location and two schools from rural location. The schools were all public/government mixed (boys
and girls) schools. Also for the subjects/respondents, inclusion criteria comprised of all the students
in senior secondary schools (SS1, SS2 and SS3).

The instrument used to collect data was substance abuse questionnaire (SAQ) constructed by the
researcher. Content validity of the instrument was determined by expert judgments as supported by
Fraenkel& Warren (2012); and Huck (2010). Reliability of the instrument was ensured through a
test-retest treatment using Pearson Product moment correlation coefficient (PPMCC); it yielded a
high positive correlation of 0.87. The instrument was administered to the respondent by the
researcher on face to face basis through the help of the form teachers and class prefects.All the five
hundred and forty (540) copies of the questionnaire were filled and same collected on the spot by
the researcher. It took the researcher four weeks for distribution and collection of the questionnaire.
Data were analyzed using frequency tables and percentages, mean deviation, t-test and ANOVA,
responses based on the likert-type scale was scored thus: Strongly Agree (4 points), Agree (3
points), Disagree (2 points), and Strongly Disagree (1 point).

DECISION RULE: Mean scores less than 2.5 are negative/rejected/not accepted while mean
scores equal to or above 2.5 are considered favourable/positive and are accepted as a major factor
that influences substance abuse among students. In other words, any variable that has a mean score
of 2.5 or more is thus a factor otherwise reject.

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RESULTS
Table 4.1: Prevalence of most commonly abused Substances among Public Secondary School
Students in Imo State (n = 540)

Most Commonly Abused Substances Frequency Percentage

Alcohol 108 20
Cigarettes 68 12.6
Cocaine 22 4.1
Indian Hemp/’igbo’ 32 5.9
Marijuana 30 5.6
Heroin 14 2.6
Tobacco/Snuff 28 5.1
Kola-nut 44 8.2
Nil 194 35.9
Total 540 100

Principal source of information on mostly abused substances among Public Secondary School
students in Imo State showed that 108 (20%) of the students abused alcohol followed by 68
(12,6%) who abused cigarettes, 44 (8.2%) most commonly abused kola-nut. Also 5.9% and 5.6%
most commonly abused Indian hemp and marijuana respectively. Very few (2.6%) abused heroin.
A total of 194 (35.9%) of the students indicated that they had never abused any of the listed drugs.

Table 4.2: Prevalence of substance abuse according to gender (n = 346)

Most Commonly Abused Male(n = 305) Female(n = 41) Total(n = 346)

Substances
Alcohol 79 (25.9%) 29 (70.7%) 108
Cigarettes 60 (19.7%) 8 (19.5%) 68
Cocaine 22 (7.2%) 0 (0%) 22
Indian Hemp/’igbo’ 32 (10.5%) 0 (0%) 32
Marijuana 30 (9.8%) 0 (0%) 30
Heroin 14 (4.6%) 0 (0%) 14
Tobacco/Snuff 27 (8.9%) 1 (2.5%) 28
Kola-nut 41 (13.4%) 3 (7.3%) 44
Total 305 (88.1%) 41 (11.9%) 346
2
= 4.21; P < 0.05

Prevalence of substance abuse according to gender showed that male students abused substances
more than the female students with a prevalence rate of 305 (88.1%) for boys and 41 (11.9%) for
girls as against 346 students that are substance abusers. The female students abuse substances like
alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco/snuff and kola-nut while the male students abuse all the listed
substances. Statistical analysis showed that there is significant difference in the prevalence of
substance abuse between the male and female public secondary school students in Imo State,
Nigeria ( 2 = 4.21; P < 0.05).

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Table 4.3: Prevalence of substance abuse according to arms/classes (n = 346)

Most Commonly SS1 (n = 41) SS2(n = 110) SS3(n = 195) Total(n = 346)
Abused Substances
Alcohol 18 (43.9%) 38(34.5%) 52(26.7%) 108
Cigarettes 9(22.0%) 22(20%) 37(19%) 68
Cocaine 1(2.4%) 6(5.5%) 15(7.7%) 22
Indian Hemp/’igbo’ 4(9.8%) 11(10%) 17(8.7%) 32
Marijuana 1(2.4%) 8(7.3%) 21(10.8%) 30
Heroin 0(0%) 3(2.7%) 11(5.6%) 14
Tobacco/Snuff 3(7.3%) 8(7.3%) 17(8.7%) 28
Kola-nut 5(12.2%) 14(12.7%) 25(12.8%) 44
Total 41 (11.8%) 110 (31.8%) 195 (56.4%) 346
2
= 6.3; P < 0.05

Prevalence of substance abuse according to arms/classesrevealed that senior secondary school 3

(SS3) students abuse substances more than SS2 and SS1, also there are more substance abusers in
SS2 more than SS1 students. The overall prevalence rate were 41 (11.8%), 110 (31.8%) and 195
(56.4%) for SS1, SS2 and SS3 respectively. There is significant difference in the prevalence of
substance abuse among different arms/classes of public senior secondary school students in Imo
State, Nigeria ( 2 = 6.3; P < 0.05).

Table 4.4: Prevalence of substance abuse according to school location (n = 346)

Most Commonly Abused Urban (n = 257) Rural(n = 89) Total(n = 346)

Substances
Alcohol 64 (24.9%) 44(49.4%) 108
Cigarettes 60(23.3%) 8(9.0%) 68
Cocaine 21(8.2%) 1(1.1%) 22
Indian Hemp/’igbo’ 21(8.2%) 11(12.4%) 32
Marijuana 29(11.3%) 1(1.1%) 30
Heroin 13(5.1%) 1(1.1%) 14
Tobacco/Snuff 16(6.2%) 12(13.5%) 28
Kola-nut 33(12.8%) 11(12.4%) 44
Total 257 (74.3%) 89 (25.7%) 346
2
= 2.63; P < 0.05

Prevalence of substance abuse according to school location (i.e. whether the school is in urban or
rural locality) showed that students from urban locality were more prone in abusing substances than
students from rural located schools. The prevalence rate was 74.3% for urban located schools as
against 25.7% for rural located schools. There is significant difference in the prevalence of
substance abuse among urban and rural public secondary school students in Imo State, Nigeria ( 2
= 2.63; P < 0.05).

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Table 4.5: Rating on the factors influencing substance abuse among Public Secondary School
Students in Imo State (n = 346)

Mean
FACTOR SA A D SD (X) Decision
Curiosity 160 134 32 20 3.3 Accept
Peer group influence 194 112 28 12 3.4 Accept
Lack of parental supervision 135 118 67 26 3.0 Accept
Low Socio-economic conditions 35 41 141 129 1.9 Reject
Energy to enhance performance 63 83 122 78 2.4 Reject
Availability of drugs 198 124 14 10 3.5 Accept
Means of coping with stress 48 53 140 105 2.1 Reject
Dependency 201 104 21 20 3.4 Accept
To feel on top/get excited 181 113 33 19 3.3 Accept
Boredom/idleness 44 56 142 104 2.1 Reject
Frustration 47 49 147 103 2.1 Reject
Media influence 199 108 21 18 3.4 Accept
Pursuit of pleasure 111 114 70 51 2.8 Accept
Copying of idols/role models 169 104 63 10 3.2 Accept
Cultural influence 151 98 76 21 3.1 Accept
To increase intelligence 33 39 143 131 1.9 Reject
Teachers/parental influence 64 82 123 77 2.4 Reject
Unaware of dangers 114 111 72 49 2.8 Accept
Affordability 122 101 99 24 2.9 Accept

Factors influencing substance abuse among public secondary school students in Imo State revealed
that availability of drugs maintained the highest mean score of 3.5. However, peer group influence;
substance dependency and media influence all have a mean score of 3.4 which maintained the
second highest rated factor that influence/promote substance abuse among the students. Curiosity
and feeling on top/getting excited had a mean score of 3.3 each. Other factors that promote
substance abuse among these students were; copying/imitating idols/role models (3.2), cultural
influence (3.1), lack of parental supervision (3.0), affordability (2.9), ignorant of dangers associated
with substance abuse and pursuit of pleasure both rated 2.8. Among the factors that were listed that
do not promote substance abuse according to the students were teachers/parental influence, to
increase intelligence, frustration, boredom, means of coping with stress, to enhance performance,
and low socio-economic condition.

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DISCUSSION

Prevalence of drug/substance abuse among Public Secondary Schools students in Imo State

This study on prevalence of drug abuse among public secondary students in Imo State revealed that
alcohol is the most commonly abused substances among public secondary school students in Imo
State, Nigeria. Alcohol is one of the substances of abuse that is generally more readily and cheaply
available than other substances. It is also accepted by people in many cultures some of which
openly promote its use during particular important cultural and ceremonial occasions like marriage,
initiation, circumcision. This makes the youth believe that alcohol is good and acceptable. During
such occasion, some of the youth get to have a taste of the substance and with more frequent tasting
of the substance, some of the students get addicted to the substance. This finding is in agreement
with those of Oti (2012) who indicated that 88.9% of the Guidance and Counselling teachers knew
that some students in their school abused alcohol. Cigarettes are sold in almost all shops in the
estates in town and all villages. It is widely portrayed by both the print and electronic media as
being fashionable and trendy. Some of the personalities being used to promote the substance
particularly in electronic media are very influential ones and as such, many youth end up being
hooked to the substance of abuse because of trying to copy their idols. This finding is also in
agreement with that of Meressa, Mossie & Gelaw (2009) who indicated that 88.3% of the guidance
and counselling teachers in Naturu, Ethiopia confessed that they were aware that cigarettesand
marijuana were being abused in their school.

Kola-nutis generally being viewed as being acceptable in certain communities and religions where
it is chewed to pass time particularly by males. It is very addictive and is liked by those who abuse
it because it intoxicates slowly and even when it so does, its intoxication is not as evident as that of
other substances of abuse that make people stager and speak obscenities at the top of their voices.
This finding is in agreement with that of Williams (2005) who indicated that 66.7% of school
administrators and teachers said they were aware that their student abused kola-nutin their schools.

Indian hempis generally being viewed as having certain mystical powers such as curing of certain
abdominal illnesses, improving people’s intelligence quotient, making people have the courage to
do daring things, making people feel excited, and making people more creative. Even though it is
not acceptable in many communities and religions, those who abuse it tend to have very close
relations among themselves which in itself attracts people who are feeling down cast, lonely or
unhappy with the society in one way or the other. This finding is in disagreement with that of
Meressa, Mossie & Gelaw (2009) who indicated that 88.3% of the guidance and counselling
teachers in Nakuru, Ethiopia confessed that they were aware that cigarettes and marijuanawere
being abused in their school.

Tobacco/snuff is cheap and freely available. It is acceptable in many communities and religions,
thus, it is generally abused among parents especially older parents. It is cheap and so abusers may
take it because it intoxicates and at a very low cost. This finding is in agreement with that of
Meressa, Mossie & Gelaw (2009) who indicated that 2.0% of students abused Inhalants such as
petroleum products and glue. Kuberis a substance of abuse that has Asian origins. Substance
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abusers like it because it is chewed and so it is not very easy for someone to notice that one is
involved in its abuse. It is also liked by those who abuse it because it is cheap and comes in small
sachets that are very easy to conceal in any part of the body. It also has no smell neither does it
have any smoke emitted when it is being abused. It is mainly abused among people of Asian origin.
It intoxicates very slowly but surely at a very low cost.

From these results, it can be concluded that alcohol, cigarettes, kola-nut, Indian hemp, marijuana
and tobacco/snuffare the most commonly abused substances while cocaine and heroin are less
commonly abused. This is probably because cocaine and heroin are costly and not commonly
available.

Factors that promoting drug/substance abuse among Public Secondary Schools students in
Imo State

This study revealed that factors that promote substance abuse among public secondary school
students in Imo State, Nigeria include; availability of substance of abuse, peer group influence,
dependency, media influence, curiosity, to feel on top of the world/get excited, copying of
idols/role models, cultural influence, lack of parental supervision, affordability, unaware of dangers
associated with substance abuse and pursuit of pleasure. This finding is in line with the finding of
Haladu (2013) who opined that curiosity, drug dependency, peer group influence, availability of
substance and media influence are among the factors that promote substance abuse. The finding of
this study is also in agreement with the finding of a study carried out by Oti(2012) on substance
abuse in secondary school students in Abia State, Nigeria in the year 2012, the study revealed that
2.1% abused substances due to the influence of relatives, 2.9% to treat ailments, 8.7% due to
influence of friends, 38.2% due to curiosity, and a majority (47.3%) said they abused substances
because they enjoyed the feelings experienced, others abuse substance because of availability of the
drug and drug dependence. This study showed that there are very serious challenges in reducing the
prevalence of substance abuse among public secondary school students. This is so because apart
from cocaine, the other commonly abused substances had generally high prevalence rates. Another
challenge in the reduction of the prevalence of substance abuse is the fact that an over-whelming
85.5% of the students abused substances either because they enjoyed the feeling (47.3%) or
because of curiosity. The finding of this study presents a major challenge because most of the
students in SS1, SS2 and SS3 are aged between 16 and 18 years, which is an age at which the youth
are intrinsically very curious, very attached to peers, and therefore it is very easy for them to be
influenced by their peers and media thus they experiment with substances. There are many
documented cases of students’ indiscipline that have been linked to substance abuse albeit
sometimes without any evidence at all.

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Research Hypotheses

The study revealed that there is significant difference in the prevalence of substance abuse
between the male and female public secondary school students in Imo State, Nigeria.
There is also a significant difference in the prevalence of substance abuse among different
arms/classes of public senior secondary school students in Imo State, Nigeria.
The third null hypothesis was also rejected which shows that there is significant difference in
the prevalence of substance abuse among urban and rural public secondary school students in
Imo State, Nigeria.

CONCLUSION

The study revealed that male students abuse drugs more than female students. Also alcohol and
cigarette smoking were the most commonly abused drugs. There is significant difference in
prevalence of drug/substance abuse between male and female; arms/classes; and school location in
public secondary school students in Imo State, Nigeria. Factors that promote drug/substance abuse
among public secondary school students in Imo State, Nigeria in descending order include;
availability of substance of abuse, peer group influence, dependency, media influence, curiosity, to
feel on top of the world/get excited, copying of idols/role models, cultural influence, lack of
parental supervision, affordability, unaware of dangers associated with substance abuse and pursuit
of pleasure.

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