Investigating Substance Abuse in Vulnerable Nigerian Youth: A Cross-Sectional Study of Out-of-School Adolescents
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60787/tnhj.v24i3.823Keywords:
Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Substance Abuse, Out-of-School AdolescentsAbstract
Background: Substance abuse poses significant health, psychological, and economic costs on society, with a particularly high prevalence among youth in both developing and developed nations. Adolescents who leave school prematurely are at an increased risk of substance abuse. We sought to investigate the pattern of substance abuse in out-of-school adolescents in Anambra state.
Method: The study utilized a community-based, descriptive cross-sectional survey design to assess substance abuse among out-of-school adolescents in the targeted area. A total of 280 adolescents participated, selected through a snowball sampling technique. Data collection was conducted using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires administered both by interviewers and through self-reporting. The collected data was cleaned, coded, processed, and analysed using SPSS version 25.
Result: The prevalence of substance abuse among out of school adolescents in Awka South LGA was 58.2%. Alcohol, with a rate of 28.9% was the most abused substance among the adolescents surveyed.
Conclusion: Substance abuse remains a critical issue among youth, particularly among out-of-school adolescents. To address this concern, healthcare stakeholders should launch targeted sensitization and awareness campaigns aimed at educating youth about the dangers of substance abuse.
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