Prevalence and determinants of recreational drug use and related health effects among youths

Emerging trends in drugs, addictions, and health Pub Date : 2025-08-05 DOI:10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100180

Benjamin Oritsemuelebi , Benneth Ben-Azu , Best Ordinioha , Ogheneoruese Orovwigho , Jerome N. Asiwe , Emmanuel O. Chidebe , Promise. I Iyere , Beauty Ijirigho , Oghenerukevwe Tebu

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Abstract

Background

Recreational drug use among youths has emerged as a significant public health concern, particularly in Nigeria's South-South Geopolitical Zone. This study assessed the prevalence and determinants of the use of recreational drugs among youths in Abraka, Delta State.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of approximately 4 months, from January 2024 to April 2024, involving 470 youths residing in Abraka, selected through a multistage sampling. Data were collected using a validated structured self-administered questionnaire, while data management and statistical analysis were performed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 25, employing descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression to identify predictors of drug use.

Results

The respondents were 64.5 % male, 66.8 % aged 21–30, 75.1 % single, 56.2 % had secondary education, 45.5 % were skilled workers, 94.5 % Christians, and 42.1 % had a family history of drug use. Regarding knowledge, 82.6 % recognized the risk of long-term dependence, 88.9 % acknowledged marijuana's short-term effects, 89.4 % understood the risk of kidney and liver damage, and 79.1 % were aware of suicidal tendencies associated with severe drug use. Knowledge was rated good in 63.2 %, fair in 31.3 %, and poor in 5.5 %.

Attitudes varied: 47.0 % strongly disagreed with drug use, 46.6 % did not view drugs as harmful, 65.1 % agreed that illegal drug possession leads to arrest, and 81.1 % had a positive attitude toward drug use. Awareness was high (98.7 %), particularly for codeine (85.0 %), alcohol (82.9 %), and cannabis (76.2 %). The prevalence of drug use was 41.9 %, with alcohol (59.1 %), tobacco (35.1 %), and marijuana (22.3 %) being the most commonly used substances. Married individuals were 1.6 times more likely to use drugs compared to singles (AOR = 1.6, 95 % CI: 1.0–2.6, p = 0.030), and those with tertiary education were 2.1 times more likely to use drugs than those with secondary education or less (AOR = 2.1, 95 % CI: 1.5–3.1, p < 0.001). These associations were statistically significant, indicating that marital status and educational level are important socio-demographic predictors of recreational drug use

Conclusion

The study stresses the need for drug education addressing health risks and social factors. Targeted interventions, including peer-influenced education and community support, are essential to reduce drug use among youths in Abraka. Nonetheless, future studies should address some limitations, such as examining the prevalence and predictors of recreational drug use in a more diverse demographic, including various age groups and gender representations, and reducing reliance on self-reported data regarding drug use behaviors and related health issues.

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青少年消遣性毒品使用的流行程度和决定因素以及相关的健康影响

背景青少年使用娱乐性药物已成为一个重大的公共卫生问题，特别是在尼日利亚的南南地缘政治区。本研究评估了三角洲州阿布拉卡青少年使用娱乐性药物的流行程度和决定因素。方法从2024年1月至2024年4月，通过多阶段抽样，对居住在阿布拉卡的470名青年进行了为期约4个月的横断面研究。采用经验证的结构化自填问卷收集数据，使用Microsoft Excel和SPSS version 25对数据进行管理和统计分析，采用描述性统计、卡方检验和多变量logistic回归来确定药物使用的预测因素。结果男性占64.5%，21 ~ 30岁占66.8%，单身占75.1%，中等文化程度占56.2%，熟练工人占45.5%，基督徒占94.5%，有吸毒家族史占42.1%。在知识方面，82.6%的人认识到长期依赖大麻的风险，88.9%的人认识到大麻的短期影响，89.4%的人了解肾脏和肝脏损害的风险，79.1%的人知道严重使用大麻有自杀倾向。63.2%的人认为知识良好，31.3%的人认为知识一般，5.5%的人认为知识差。态度各不相同：47.0%的人强烈反对吸毒，46.6%的人不认为吸毒有害，65.1%的人同意非法持有毒品会被逮捕，81.1%的人对吸毒持积极态度。对可待因（85.0%）、酒精（82.9%）和大麻（76.2%）的知晓率很高（98.7%）。毒品使用率为41.9%，其中酒精（59.1%）、烟草（35.1%）和大麻（22.3%）是最常用的物质。已婚人士吸毒的可能性是单身人士的1.6倍（AOR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.0-2.6, p = 0.030），受过高等教育的人吸毒的可能性是受过中等及以下教育的人的2.1倍（AOR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.5-3.1, p < 0.001）。这些相关性具有统计学意义，表明婚姻状况和受教育程度是娱乐性药物使用的重要社会人口学预测因素。结论强调对健康风险和社会因素进行毒品教育的必要性。有针对性的干预措施，包括受同龄人影响的教育和社区支持，对于减少阿布拉卡青年吸毒至关重要。尽管如此，未来的研究应解决一些局限性，例如在更多样化的人口统计中检查娱乐性药物使用的流行程度和预测因素，包括不同年龄组和性别代表，以及减少对关于药物使用行为和相关健康问题的自我报告数据的依赖。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Emerging trends in drugs, addictions, and health Pharmacology, Psychiatry and Mental Health, Forensic Medicine, Drug Discovery, Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics (General)

CiteScore

2.40

自引率

0.00%

发文量