PREVALENCE, PATTERN, AND FACTORS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITY OF BENIN, BENIN CITY, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

Introduction: The consumption of psychoactive substance remains a significant global health challenge, particularly among young adults in tertiary institutions. Medical students occupy a uniquely precarious position due to the rigorous cognitive and emotional demands of their training. In Nigeria, national drug use prevalence has surged beyond the global average, with synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances becoming increasingly accessible in southern urban centers like Benin City. Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence, pattern and perceived factors associated with substance use among medical students at the University of Benin. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate medical students (200-level – 600-level) at the University of Benin. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to select the sample size. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire adapted from the WHO Student Drug Use Questionnaire (SDUQ) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 27. Results: A total of 298 respondents participated (100% response rate). Alcohol was the most prevalent substance, with a lifetime usage of 63.4% and a past 30-day prevalence of 5.8%. Tobacco/nicotine had a lifetime prevalence of 14.1%, while current opioid use was reported by 2.7% of respondents. Significant associations were found between alcohol use and academic level (highest in 300-level), monthly allowance, and marital status. Furthermore, alcohol and stimulants were significantly associated with psychological distress (p= 0.024 and p= 0.036, respectively), with 82.0% of current stimulant users exhibiting distress. Conclusion: Substance use is highly prevalent among medical students at the University of Benin, primarily serving as a functional coping mechanism to manage intense academic workloads and systemic rigors rather than recreational purposes. The findings highlight a critical need for institutions to transition from punitive measures towards a wellness-oriented framework, incorporating confidential counselling and curriculum restructuring to mitigate student stress and promote healthier learning environments.