The Prevalence and Pattern of Social Drug Abuse Among Students of Rift Valley University College, Bishoftu Campus, 2014, Bishoftu, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Social drug include all substances and chemicals that act in the central nervous system, leaving the individual dependent upon prolonged use. College students are at higher risk of substance abuse. Since this is a serious problem to the individual users, the community and the country as whole, this problem has to be researched. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and pattern of social drug abuse among students of RVUC, Bishoftu campus. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on a sample of 356 students that are selected by employing conventional sampling procedure. Results: A total of 356 students were participated in the study. The response rate was 97.7%. One hundred eighty eight (54.0%) of the respondents were males, 168(48.3%) in the age group of 21-25 years, 176(50.6%) Oromo, 196(56.3%) Orthodox and 164(47.1%) of the students were from second year. The overall life time and current prevalence of social drug use among the study subjects were 156(44.8%) and 136(39.1%) respectively. The life time prevalence of alcohol drinking, khat use and cigarette smoking among the study participants were 40.2%, 35.6% and 18.4% respectively. Similarly, the current prevalence of alcohol drinking, khat chewing and cigarette smoking were 35.6%, 29.9% and 14.9% respectively. The most common reason for social drugs abuse among university students were to for relaxation with friends 84(53.8%), peer pressure 72(46.2%) and to get relief from stress 56(35.9%) respectively. Conclusion: The study has identified that substance abuse is a serious problem among RVUC student. The commonly abused substances were alcohol, khat, and cigarette in descending order. Most of the students started substances abuse during their High school and preparatory study period. This study indicates that adolescents and youths should be educated about the problem of abusing social drugs and higher institutions should teach their students about the health risks and socioeconomic problems associated with substances abuse.