Drug use among adolescents in Ilorin, Nigeria.
The types and frequency of drug use among 1200 students aged 10-19 years was investigated and a prevalence rate of 40.1% found; currently used drugs included mild stimulants such as kolanut and coffee 294 (26.2%), alcohol 164 (14.5%), sniffing agents 80 (7.2%), amphetamine and ephedrine 66 (6.7%), cigarette 54 (4.8%), heroin 45 (4%) cocaine 40 (3.6%) and cannabis 38 (3.4%). Multiple drug use was found among the students, with the abuse of cannabis, cocaine and heroin being significant among those who smoked cigarette (P<0.001). The relative risk (RR) for cannabis use when cigarette was smoked was 37.4 (24.1-57.8); RR for cigarette smoking when alcohol was used, 6.8, while RR for cocaine abuse when cigarette was used, 21.8 (13.9-34.5) and 52.8 (29.2-95.5) when cannabis was used. It is therefore concluded that the use of the licit and "socially" acceptable drugs may pave the way for the abuse of illicit ones.
Abdulkarim
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Department of Pediatrics/Child Health, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. aishaakarim@yahoo.com
Mokuolu
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Adeniyi
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D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D003042:Cocaine / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D003932:Heroin / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*
D013287:Illicit Drugs; D003932:Heroin; D003042:Cocaine