Original Research

Prevalence of substance use and knowledge of its effects among secondary school students in Lagos, Nigeria

Tolulope O. Kolawole, Adedoyin O. Ogunyemi, Alexander R. Lucas
South African Journal of Psychiatry | Vol 31 | a2370 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v31i0.2370 | © 2025 Tolulope O. Kolawole, Adedoyin O. Ogunyemi, Alexander R. Lucas | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 08 August 2024 | Published: 30 May 2025

About the author(s)

Tolulope O. Kolawole, Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia, United States
Adedoyin O. Ogunyemi, Department of Community Health and Primary Care, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Alexander R. Lucas, Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia, United States

Abstract

Background: World Health Organization defines substance use as harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs. There is an increased rate of substance use among youths and adolescents. Substance use significantly increases the risk for mental disorders.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of substance use and knowledge of its effects among secondary school students in Lagos, Nigeria.

Setting: The study was conducted among Secondary schools in Lagos, Nigeria.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive study among 800 participants who were selected using a multi-stage sampling method. The instrument for data collection was the amended WHO students’ drug-use questionnaire. The data were analysed using Epi Info 7 software.

Results: The lifetime prevalence of substance use was 13.6%, while current users’ prevalence was 6.9%. Apart from alcohol consumption, the substance most frequently used was tramadol (52.7%), followed by marijuana (36.4%). Almost all the participants (98.1%) were aware of substance use. Most students (88.7%) were able to identify the effects of substance use, including short-term complications (79.1%) and long-term complications (61.1%).

Conclusion: The high prevalence of alcohol and tramadol use among the participants underscores the need for stricter government policies on the accessibility of these products to adolescents and the need for increased awareness of their effects.

Contribution: The lower knowledge of long-term complications of substance use (61.1%) in comparison to short-term complications (79.1%) underscores the need for further research and increased advocacy on long-term complications of substance use among youths and adolescents.


Keywords

substance use; drugs; adolescents; youths; students; psychoactive substances; alcohol; marijuana; tramadol

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

Metrics

Total abstract views: 181
Total article views: 142


Crossref Citations

No related citations found.