@article{10.11648/j.sjph.20231106.11,
  author = {Kizito Aidam and Emefa Awo Adawudu},
  title = {Prevalence and Predictors of Substance Use Among Senior High School Students: An Institution-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Ghana},
  journal = {Science Journal of Public Health},
  volume = {11},
  number = {6},
  pages = {186-194},
  doi = {10.11648/j.sjph.20231106.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20231106.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjph.20231106.11},
  abstract = {Introduction: Substance use among senior high school students in Ghana has been on the increase. While various studies have investigated the topic, studies that examine the issue in high schools in coastal Ghana are scarce. Also, the relationship between the use of the three most common substances—alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana—is essentially an open question. This study examines the prevalence of substance use among senior high school students in a coast population in Ghana. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 405 senior high school students. Data was collected using a self-administered, structured questionnaire via a multistage sampling process. The data was entered, cleaned, coded, and analyzed using SPSS. Pearson Chi-square test was used to determine the association between the independent and dependent variables, and a multiple logistic regression established the strength of the explanatory variables in predicting the outcomes. Associations were significant at p < 0.05. Results: The lifetime prevalence and current prevalence of alcohol consumption were 64.8% and 26.8%, respectively. The lifetime and current prevalence of cigarette smoking were 12.2%, respectively. Regarding marijuana use, the lifetime prevalence was 9.1%, and the current prevalence was 6.3%. Household head (s) [AOR=3.53, 95% CI=1.24, 10.03] and lifetime cigarette smoking predicted alcohol consumption [AOR=5.72, 95% CI=1.50, 21.76]. Religion [AOR=7.19, 95% CI=1.21, 42.58], lifetime alcohol consumption [AOR=5.73, 95% CI=1.51, 21.83], and lifetime marijuana use predicted cigarette smoking [AOR=23.95, 95% CI=8.00, 71.66]. School residency status [AOR=0.15, 95% CI=0.05, 0.47], religion [AOR=6.99, 95% CI=1.07, 45.84], home residency [AOR=12.61, 95% CI=3.07, 51.88], and lifetime cigarette smoking [AOR=25.07, 95% CI=8.00, 78.60] predicted marijuana use. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of the students engage in underage drinking and smoking. The use of marijuana, an illicit substance, is notable. Policymakers should act proactively to prevent an impending public health and legal crisis among senior high school students.
},
 year = {2023}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Prevalence and Predictors of Substance Use Among Senior High School Students: An Institution-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Ghana
AU  - Kizito Aidam
AU  - Emefa Awo Adawudu
Y1  - 2023/11/09
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20231106.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.sjph.20231106.11
T2  - Science Journal of Public Health
JF  - Science Journal of Public Health
JO  - Science Journal of Public Health
SP  - 186
EP  - 194
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-7950
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20231106.11
AB  - Introduction: Substance use among senior high school students in Ghana has been on the increase. While various studies have investigated the topic, studies that examine the issue in high schools in coastal Ghana are scarce. Also, the relationship between the use of the three most common substances—alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana—is essentially an open question. This study examines the prevalence of substance use among senior high school students in a coast population in Ghana. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 405 senior high school students. Data was collected using a self-administered, structured questionnaire via a multistage sampling process. The data was entered, cleaned, coded, and analyzed using SPSS. Pearson Chi-square test was used to determine the association between the independent and dependent variables, and a multiple logistic regression established the strength of the explanatory variables in predicting the outcomes. Associations were significant at p < 0.05. Results: The lifetime prevalence and current prevalence of alcohol consumption were 64.8% and 26.8%, respectively. The lifetime and current prevalence of cigarette smoking were 12.2%, respectively. Regarding marijuana use, the lifetime prevalence was 9.1%, and the current prevalence was 6.3%. Household head (s) [AOR=3.53, 95% CI=1.24, 10.03] and lifetime cigarette smoking predicted alcohol consumption [AOR=5.72, 95% CI=1.50, 21.76]. Religion [AOR=7.19, 95% CI=1.21, 42.58], lifetime alcohol consumption [AOR=5.73, 95% CI=1.51, 21.83], and lifetime marijuana use predicted cigarette smoking [AOR=23.95, 95% CI=8.00, 71.66]. School residency status [AOR=0.15, 95% CI=0.05, 0.47], religion [AOR=6.99, 95% CI=1.07, 45.84], home residency [AOR=12.61, 95% CI=3.07, 51.88], and lifetime cigarette smoking [AOR=25.07, 95% CI=8.00, 78.60] predicted marijuana use. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of the students engage in underage drinking and smoking. The use of marijuana, an illicit substance, is notable. Policymakers should act proactively to prevent an impending public health and legal crisis among senior high school students.

VL  - 11
IS  - 6
ER  - 

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