Investigating Factors Associated with Substance Use among Undergraduate Students in Tertiary Institutions in Ilorin Metropolis

Abstract

The study investigating factors associated with substance use among undergraduate students in tertiary institutions in Ilorin metropolis using Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin as case study. The study employed 1500 self-administered questionnaires, which were distributed to students across the five institutes for filling to randomly selected participants. Data collected for the study were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square (χ²) test. The findings of the study showed that the prevalence of substance use/drug abuse was 36% which was a bit higher than most obtained from related previous studies. Alcohol and prescription or non-prescription of medication are mostly types of substance use/abuse. Also, the results suggest respondents seem to agree with different factors affecting the use of drugs and substance abuse. Finally, the gender, student level, student institute, the marital status and types of substance use/drug abuse were demographic characteristics associated with substance use/ drug abuse. However, other demographic characteristics that were not associated with substance use/ drug abuse according to the study included age group, place of residence, parent/guidance level of education among others.