Abstract
Several studies indicate that use of psycho-active substances among Ethiopian youths is considerably rising particularly in universities. The use of psycho-active substances among youths can be harmful, leading to decreased academic performance, increased risk of exposure to sexually transmitted diseases, and psychiatric disorders such as lethargy, hopelessness and insomnia. The aim of this study was to investigate the magnitude and factors determining psycho-active substances use among regular undergraduate students of Dire-Dawa University. Cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the magnitude of self-reported psycho-active substance use and any association between these habits and the determinant factors among students of the Dire-Dawa University. Frequencies, proportion for categorical variables and cross-tabulations were used for data summarization. Binary Bivariate and Multivariate Logistic Regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with substance. Bivariate analysis was done, and variables with p-value less than 0.05 were used in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. Odds Ratio and 95% confidence intervals were also computed with the corresponding p-value.64.3% of respondents used psycho-active substances in their life time. The top three psycho-active substances used in last twelve months were alcohol (60%), khat (59.9%) and tobacco (56.5%). Through multivariate logistic regression analysis, being male, having peer influence, getting relief from stress, keeping alert while reading, using psycho-active substances (PAS) for recreational purpose, lacking of sufficient alternative means of recreation in the university campus, finding availability of PAS use centers around the university campus and using alcohol and cigarettes as a means of breaking the depression that ensues once the stimulation from khat has subsided significantly associated with PAS use. This study has revealed that psycho-active substances use among the undergraduate regular students of Dire Dawa University was higher than the findings of other similar studies conducted in public universities of Ethiopia. Being male, having peer influence, getting relief from stress, keeping alert while reading, using PAS for recreational purpose, lacking of sufficient alternative means of recreation in the university campus, finding availability PAS use centers around the university campus and using alcohol and cigarettes as a means of breaking the depression that ensues once the stimulation from khat has subsided were significantly associated with PAS use.
Highlights
In developing countries the use of alcohol, khat, tobacco and cocaine has become one of the rising major public health and socio-economic problems in worldwide [1]
Parental education of the respondents revealed that 17.6% mothers and 11.3% fathers were reported to be illiterate; with only 18.2% mothers and 40.97% fathers were graduated from college/university
Relatively lowest in magnitude, as compared to alcohol, khat and tobacco products, this study reveals that Dire Dawa University (DDU) regular undergraduate students had used cannabis products like Marijuana, Hashish and Ganja
Summary
In developing countries the use of alcohol, khat, tobacco and cocaine has become one of the rising major public health and socio-economic problems in worldwide [1]. Khat is being chewed as a habit in some African countries such as Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, and Yemen. The habit is being introduced into different countries of the world [3]. In some Ethiopian communities, chewing khat is common and becoming an every-day drug [4]. There is a strong link between chewing khat, taking excess alcohol, unsaved sexual practice. This exposes people for HIV/AIDS [5,6,7]
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