Trends in prevalence and pattern of substance use among secondary school pupils in Ilorin, Nigeria.
We present trends data on the prevalence and pattern of substance use among secondary school pupils in Ilorin, derived from comparing the finding of two consecutive cross-sectional surveys. From a sample of six schools, 1041 and 848 pupils 1988 and 1993 respectively, completed anonymously a 117-item WHO self-report substance-use questionnaire. The analyses cover responses on the current and lifetime use of eleven substances, their frequency of use, and the effect of gender and school location on use trends. Although a significant increase in current use rates was recorded for alcohol, cannabis, mild stimulants and hypnosedatives, all of these substances (except stimulants) showed a shift towards less frequent use in 1993. The only consistent gender effect was found for smoking, which remained significantly a male activity. The significant increases found in the current use of cocaine, organic solvents and hallucinogens are difficult to substantiate, thus prompting the suggestion for further corroborative qualitative studies. There was a trend towards greater involvement of the rural school's respondents in substance use in general. The implications of the findings with respect to policy issues on substance-use prevention programmes for youths in the Ilorin metropolis are discussed within the context of the limitations of the study design.
Adelekan
M L
ML
Department of Behavioural Sciences, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
Ndom
R J
RJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D013334:Students; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014504:Urban Health