SUBSTANCE

Background: Substance use among young adults remains a major global and national public health concern, with significant implications for academic performance, physical and mental health, and social functioning. Students in medical related courses are expected to demonstrate greater health consciousness, understanding the prevalence, determinants, and commonly abused substances within this population is crucial for effective intervention and policy formulation. Aim: To evaluate substance-use among undergraduate students in the College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 437 undergraduate students drawn from the College of Medical Sciences of the University of Benin. Data was collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire assessing socio-demographic variables, knowledge, attitude, and practice of substance-use. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 26.0, results were presented in frequency tables and charts. Associations between variables were tested using Chi-square at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of substance-use among respondents was 80.5%, with alcohol being the most commonly used substance, followed by cough syrups and prescription medications such as opioids and stimulants. Male students and those in clinical faculties reported higher rates of use compared to their counterparts in basic sciences. Curiosity, academic stress, and peer influence were the major contributing factors. A significant association was observed between substance use and socio-demographic variables such as age, faculty, and place of residence.

This study examined the prevalence and pattern of psychoactive substance use among secondary school students in Benin Metropolitan Area, Edo State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted for the study. The target population consisted of senior secondary school students from selected public secondary schools, with a sample size of 331 respondents selected using simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a self-structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Findings revealed that the prevalence of psychoactive substance use among the respondents was 15.4%, while the majority (84.6%) reported no history of substance use. The most commonly used substances identified were tramadol (6.3%), alcohol (6.0%), and codeine (3.0%). In terms of usage pattern, a higher proportion of students reported occasional use (6.3%), while others used substances daily or weekly (4.5% each). The study also showed that substances were mainly obtained from friends, schoolmates, and street vendors. The study concluded that psychoactive substance use exists among secondary school students in Benin Metropolis, with identifiable patterns and influencing factors. It is therefore recommended that schools, families, and government agencies strengthen preventive strategies through health education, counseling services, and stricter control of substance accessibility among adolescents.