Psycho-spatial predictors of drug use among Inner City Youths in Uyo

Abstract

This study examined psycho-spaal predictors (psychological – opmisc bias and stress: spaal-drug availability, neighborhood density and proximity) of drug use among inner city youths of Uyo. A descripve cross-seconal survey design was used to interview 228 youths in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Parcipants, with an average age of 31.46, were 75% male. A standardized quesonnaire, consisng of Drug Use Disorder Idenficaon Test (DUDIT), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and the Revised Life Orientaon Test-Revised (LOT-R) were used for data collecon. Drug availability was assessed in this study in terms of ease of difficulty in obtaining the drug ranging from very easy to very difficult. Environmental proximity was assessed by asking the respondents the proximity between their residence and where the drug they used are sold- ranging from “On the same street” to “not available in my neighborhood”. Neighborhood density was assessed by asking the respondents their area of residence in Uyo – as high density or low density. Result showed that drug availability [β= -4.23; t = - 4.22; p < 0.05] stress level [β=0.33; t =2.96; p < 0.05] and opmisc bias [β= - 0.52; t=-3.18; p< 0.05] predicted drug use. The study concluded that these psychospaal variables are very important in understanding drug use among young persons and the need to situate intervenon within this psychospaal domain was emphasized.