An epidemiological perspective of substance use among high school pupils in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate prevalence and the factors influencing substance use among rural high school pupils in KwaZulu-Natal in order to develop and implement intervention programmes.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Twenty-eight high schools in southern KwaZulu-Natal.


METHODS
One thousand three hundred and eighteen grade 10 pupils.


METHODS
An anonymous self-reporting questionnaire was used to investigate the use of alcohol, tobacco (cigarettes), cannabis and solvents.


RESULTS
Of the male scholars, 52.9% (95% confidence interval (CI): 45.4-60.3) reported ever using alcohol, 16.9% (CI: 11.5-24.0) reported using cannabis, and 13.1% (CI: 7.2-22.5) had smoked more than one cigarette daily. Among male pupils 45.5% (CI: 38.6-52.6) had inhaled benzine and 34.6% (CI: 28.0-41.8), thinners; 7.4% (CI: 3.4-15.2) had used cocaine and 4.1% (CI: 1.0-10.6), crack. Female pupils reported significantly less use of alcohol (25.5%, CI: 17.6-35.3), cannabis (2.3%, CI: 1.3-4.1), cigarettes (more than one daily) (2.0%, CI: 1.0-4.1), and inhalation of benzine (18.8%, CI: 13.8-25.2) and thinners (10.8%, CI: 7.2-16). Logistical regression indicated that the odds of smoking cigarettes increased significantly (p < 0.0005) with use of the other substances.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study confirm the prevalence of multi-substance use among pupils at the majority of rural high schools in this district and the need for targeted interventions to reduce/prevent this.
Taylor
M
M
Department of Community Health, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of Natal, Durban.
Jinabhai
C C
CC
Naidoo
K
K
Kleinschmidt
I
I
Dlamini
S B
SB
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D016578:Crack Cocaine / Q000009:adverse effects; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology
D016578:Crack Cocaine; D012997:Solvents