Substance use among high school-going adolescents,  Northern Region, Ghana:

Abdul Gafaru Mohammed; Yussif Issahaku; Yaw Karikari  Asamoah; Ruth Nimota  Nukpezah; Hilarius Paul Asiwome  Kosi Abiwu; Abdul Mugis Alhassan; Magdalene Odikro  Odikro; Ernest  Kenu

doi:10.46829/hsijournal.2024.7.6.1.769-775

Abdul Gafaru Mohammed Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, University of Ghana
Yussif Issahaku KM Model Girls Junior High School, Ghana Education Service
Yaw Karikari Asamoah Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, University of Ghana
Ruth Nimota Nukpezah School of Nursing and Midwifery, University for Development Studies, Tamale
Hilarius Paul Asiwome Kosi Abiwu Northern Regional Health Directorate, Northern Region, Tamale
Abdul Mugis Alhassan Faculty of Education, University for Development Studies, Tamale
Magdalene Odikro Odikro Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, University of Ghana
Ernest Kenu Department of Epidemiology and Disease Control, School of Public Health, University of Ghana

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46829/hsijournal.2024.7.6.1.769-775

Keywords: Illicit drugs, Substance Use, Northern Region, Adolescents, High School

Abstract

Background: Substance use among adolescents in Ghana remains underreported despite its consequences. There is limited information on the prevalence of alcohol, cigarette, and other drug use among adolescents in the northern region of Ghana.
Objective: This study assessed adolescent substance use in nine senior high schools in the Northern Region of Ghana to inform evidencebased decision-making.
Methods: We conducted a school-based cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence of substance use and the factors that influence its occurrence among randomly sampled adolescents in the Northern region of Ghana. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on their background characteristics and use of substances. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the association between substance use and adolescents’ characteristics at the 5% significance level.
Results: Of the 403 adolescents studied from nine senior high schools, the average age was 17.7 years (SD = 1.01), with 52.9% (n = 213) being male. The lifetime use of any substance was 62.3% [95% CI: 57.35 - 67.03]. Smoking status, alcohol intake, and illicit drug use were 6.2% (n = 25/403), 5.0% (n = 20/403), and 62.3% (n = 251/403), respectively. Substance use by peers (aOR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.16 - 3.68), sexual activity (aOR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.08 - 3.03), sexual relationships (aOR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.03-2.69), social media use (aOR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.36 - 3.36), and smartphone use (aOR = 2.89, 95% CI: 1.65 - 5.07) were significantly associated with substance use.
Conclusion: This study revealed an alarming rate of substance use among adolescents in the Northern Region. Peer use of drugs, sexual activity, sexual relationships, and use of smartphones and social media were factors identified to influence substance use. The research team organised educational and sensitisation programmes for the selected high schools. The findings could influence the development or enhancement of school policies related to substance use prevention, detection, and disciplinary actions by the Ghana Education Service (GES).