Background: Harmful use of substances by adolescents is adjudged a global epidemic by the World Health Organization, affecting both the individual and society. This study assessed the prevalence, patterns and predictors of substance abuse among in-school adolescents in Yenagoa Bayelsa State Nigeria Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in year 2022 among 310 secondary school adolescents, selected through a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire adapted from the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) Core Questionnaire, specifically the 2021 version of the Drug Use Module. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25; level of significance was p ≤ 0.05 at 95% Confidence Interval. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to determine the association between categorical variables. Predictors were determined by binary logistic regression. Result: The mean age of the participants was 15.07 ± 1.573 years. Lifetime substance abuse prevalence was 32.3%, with a 12-month rate of 20.6%, including 13 (4.3%) daily users. The most abused substances were Alcohol 87(90.6%), Marijuana 20(20.5%) and Shisha 18(18.8%) and mean age of initiation was 12.42±2.971 years. Relaxation 23(24.0%) and curiosity 18(18.8%) were the most common reasons provided. Predictors include older adolescents, mother’s educational level, from a polygamous setting, negative influences from family members, easy access to drugs and money, and history of sexual abuse (p<0.05). Conclusion: Substance abuse among in-school adolescents is widespread, with initiation at younger ages. The most abused substances are alcohol, cannabis, and shisha. Prevention should target younger adolescents before they start using these substances.
OI et al. (Sun,) studied this question.