A study of the context of adolescent substance use and patterns of use in yenagoa local government, bayelsa state, Nigeria

Background: In the Study, A Study of the Context of Adolescent Substance Use and Patterns of Use in Yenagoa Local Government, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The most commonly use substance among adolescents in Yenagoa Local Government was examined, the extent to which these substances are used by adolescents in Yenagoa Local Government was determine and make the necessary recommendations from the findings to Bayelsa state government on how preventive measures can be introduced. Materials and method: Purposive sampling technique was applied in selecting the rural community each from the Yenagoa Local Government Areas respectively. Simple random sampling techniques were used in selecting the respondents. Respondents were randomly selected based on personal interview method with the aid of drafted questionnaires. Twenty-five (25) communities were visited in Yenagoa Local Government of Bayelsa State Results: Results of the study indicated that the prevalence level of cocaine (13.8%) among the respondents was low but need to be given proper attention, with male 251(65.2%) respondents indulging in the habit more than the females 134(34.8%). It further showed that majority of the respondents, were between age group 18-20 years (37.7%) and majority of the respondents had secondary education (42.1%). Also, larger percentage of the respondents were single (90.1%) as at the time of the study and 83.1% of the respondents were Christians, 13.8% were Islam while 3.1% practiced other religious. Finally, the result showed that alcoholic beverages (33.2%) followed by cigarettes (26.8%) were the most commonly used substance among adolescence in Yenagoa Local Government Area. Further interview revealed that cigarettes, marijuana and alcoholic beverages were taken regularly while cocaine was taken occasionally. Conclusion: The study concludes that the all stakeholders should step-up mass education and information sharing on the dangers inherent in substance abuse. Also, citizen advocacy should be intensified and encouraged on the health impact of substance use.