High School Students In Ethiopia Research Articles

Prevalence and risk factors for tobacco, khat, and alcohol consumption among high school students in Ethiopia

BackgroundTobacco, khat, alcohol, and marijuana are the main risk factors for non-communicable diseases. There are limited studies on substance use in Ethiopia, especially among secondary school students. This study aims to determine the epidemiology of substance use among secondary school students in Ethiopia.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2020 in four large regions of Ethiopia and the capital Addis Ababa. We collected data from 3,355 grade 9 and grade 10 students in 36 randomly selected high schools. Data were collected on tobacco, khat, alcohol and other substances. Mixed effect logistic regression models were fitted to determine the predictors of cigarette smoking.Results157 (4.7%) of the participants ever smoked cigarettes and 81 (2.4%) were current smokers. 106 (3.2%) ever used smokeless tobacco, 1,342 (41.8%) had ever drunk alcohol, 290 (8.7%) ever used khat, 137 (4.8%) chewed khat regularly and 76 (2.3%) ever used marijuana. There was a significant regional variation in substance use patterns; cigarette and khat use was the highest in southern regions, whereas alcohol use was highest in the northern areas. Availability of cigarette and khat shops within a 100-meter radius of the school compound was reported by 1,229 (37.5%) and 816 (25%) students, respectively. Three hundred fifty-four (10.9%) students had ever seen someone smoking a cigarette in the school compound. Ever use of smokeless tobacco (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 9.4, 95%CI: 4.9–17.9), ever use of shisha (AOR = 8, 95% CI: 3.9–16.3), ever use of khat (AOR = 4.1, 95%CI: 2.5–6.8), ever use of alcohol (AOR = 2.3, 95%CI: 1.4–3.7), having a friend who smoked a cigarette (AOR = 2, 95%CI: 1.2–3.5), and ever seen someone smoking a cigarette in the school compound (AOR = 1.9, 95%CI: 1.1–3.4) were associated with ever use of cigarettes.ConclusionSubstance use prevalence in Ethiopia has regional variations and prevention strategies should be tailored to the needs of the regions. Although this study reported a lower prevalence of cigarette smoking, students could access cigarettes and khat in nearby school areas. The existing tobacco control laws that prohibit selling tobacco products to children and adolescents under 21 years of age and ban establishing tobacco shops close to school compounds should be enforced.

"If I don't smoke shisha, I won't be able to sleep": lived experiences of high school students in Ethiopia.

BackgroundShisha smoking predisposes the users to cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and infections, such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, and herpes. In Ethiopia, there is little data on the adolescents’ shisha smoking experience. This study aimed to explore the lived experience of high school students and inform ongoing and future prevention and control interventions.MethodsThis study was conducted in Addis Ababa and Adama cities in Ethiopia. Twenty-five secondary school students aged 15-22 years who had shisha smoking experience participated in this study. A topic guide was used to facilitate the in-depth interviews (IDIs) and a digital audio recorder recorded the interviews. Interviews varied between 40-90 minutes and were conducted in private open-air spaces where only the interviewee and researcher were present. Each transcript was coded using Atlas.ti version 8 software. The analytical approach was iterative, with interview transcripts analyzed at the time of coding and re-analyzed after a preliminary result was drafted to search for additional themes.ResultsStudents described two key factors that influenced their decision to initiate shisha smoking: peer influence and perceiving it as a means to release stress. After initiating shisha use students maintained the behaviour because of: peer influence, khat chewing, enjoyment of shisha smoking, having prolonged leisure time, and accessibility to shisha. Students regretted the impact shisha use had on their lives, such as conflict with their families, poor academic performance, and spending money on shisha smoking. Female students were also concerned about reproductive health risks related to shisha use.ConclusionsPeer influence played a major role both in initiating and maintaining shisha use. However, students admitted concern over the impact of shisha smoking on academic performance and their relationship with their families. Since shisha use is associated with khat chewing; shisha smoking control programs cannot be successful without controlling khat. Especially young girls had worries about their reproductive health risks associated with shisha use. This suggests that targeted awareness raising programs highlighting the dangers of shisha use for both health and safety; especially for young women is required.

An Emerging Problem of Shisha Smoking among High School Students in Ethiopia.

Shisha smoking is also known as hookah, water pipe, goza, and nargile. Shisha use among the young is increasing globally. Shisha smoke results in a high concentration of carbon monoxide, tar, nicotine, and heavy metals which can be toxic to humans, especially with chronic exposure. This study aims to determine the prevalence and risk factors of shisha smoking among in-school adolescents in Ethiopia. Four regional states in Ethiopia (Oromia, Amhara, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region, Tigray) and the capital city (Addis Ababa) were the study areas. A two-stage cluster sampling approach was employed to produce a representative sample. From the sampling frames in the study areas, 36 high schools were selected randomly. A multi-level logistic regression analysis was used to account for cluster-specific random effects, the effect of individuals’, and school-level variables for ever-use of shisha. A total of 3355 secondary school grade 9 and 10 students aged between 13 and 22 years took part in this study. A total of 86 (2.6%) and 20 (0.6%) of the study participants, reported that they had ever smoked or were current smokers of shisha, respectively. Of all study participants, 38.6% perceived shisha as less harmful than cigarettes and 48.5% reported that they do not know which was more harmful to health. Students were more likely to ever use shisha if they had friend/s who smoke shisha (AOR = 16.8, 95% CI: 6.4–44.3), ever smoked cigarettes (AOR = 8.2, 95% CI: 3.4–19.8), ever used khat (AOR = 4.2, 95% CI: 1.9–10.4), ever used marijuana (AOR = 3.9, 95% CI: 1.4–11.1), ever used smokeless tobacco (AOR = 3.1 95% CI: 1.1–8.4), and students had received income from their parents (AOR = 3.1 CI: 1.1–8.8). Prevalence of ever and current use of shisha among high school students is low in Ethiopia compared to many countries in Africa. The majority of adolescents perceived shisha as less harmful to health than cigarette smoking. Health education about the harmful effects of shisha should be delivered to adolescents, along with information on other substances like khat, cigarettes, marijuana, and smokeless tobacco to prevent initiation of substance use.

Ethiopian traditional dance alter the health-related physical fitness traits of high school students

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Tigray regional state traditional dances on health-related physical fitness traits among high school students in Ethiopia. To achieve the purpose of this study, 100 high school students were selected randomly. And their age was 15.5±1.1 years. The selected participants were categorized into the experimental group consists of four Traditional dances that were Awris, Hura, Kuda, and Shediva and the control group with twenty subjects in each. The experimental group performed traditional dances for 16 weeks three days per week whereas participants in the control group were informed to follow their usual daily activity. All participants were tested on selected criterion measures on muscular strength, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance and body composition before and after the 16 weeks of the training period. The data about the variables in this study were statistically examined using ANOVA for each variable separately, whenever the ‘F’ ratio of adjusted post-test was found to be significant, the Scheffe’s test was used to determine the paired mean differences. The level of significance was fixed at 0.05. Following the 16-weeks traditional dance training, a significant change was observed on muscular strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance, but there was no significant improvement in body composition as compares to the experimental groups with the control group. Therefore it can be concluded that Tigray traditional dance training program can notably improve physical fitness level of high school students.

Effect of traditional dances on selected psychological variables among high school students in Ethiopia

The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate the effect of practicing Tigray Regional State Traditional Dances on selected psychological variables, i.e. anxiety and self-esteem, in a sample of one 100 adolescent boys and girls (age 15 – 17 years) who volunteered. The subjects were divided into two groups i.e., the experimental group (n=80) and the control group (n=20). Furthermore, the experimental group was divided into four subgroups (n= 4X20). Each experimental subgroup was practicing for 16 weeks one of the four Traditional Dances of Awris, Hura, Kuda and Shediva. On the contrary, the participants in the control group were counseled to follow their usual daily routine activity. Additionally, all participants were tested on selected criterion measures on anxiety and self-esteem prior to and after the investigation period which lasted for 16-weeks. All data were statistically examined using ANOVA for each one of the studied variables separately. Whenever ‘F’ ratio of adjusted post-test was found to be significant the Scheffe’s test was used to determine the paired mean differences. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. Following the 16-weeks traditional dance practicing, significant positive changes were observed on anxiety and self-esteem variables in the four experimental groups compared with the control group. It can be, therefore, concluded, that Tigray traditional dance practicing can notably improve the psychological wellbeing of high school students.

Effect of Awris Traditional Dances on Health-Related Physical Fitness Traits among High School Students in Ethiopia

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Awris traditional dance Tigray regional state on health related physical fitness traits among high school students. To achieve the purpose of this study, 40 high school students were selected randomly. And their age ranged between 15 and 17 years. The selected participants were categorized into experimental and control group with twenty (n=20) subjects in each. The experimental group performed traditional dances for a period of 16 weeks three days per week whereas participants in the control group were informed to follow their usual daily activity. All participants were tested on selected criterion measures on muscular strength, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance and body composition prior to and after the 16 weeks of the training period. The data pertaining to the variables in this study were statistically examined by using SPSS statistical software version 25. Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation were found in order to get the basic idea of the data distribution. Independent t- test was employed for finding whether there was any statistically significant pre-test to post-test mean differences in their respective variables of each group. Level of significant was set at 0.05. Following the 16-weeks traditional dance training, significant change was observed on muscular strength and cardiovascular endurance, but there was no significant improvement in flexibility and body composition as compare the experimental groups with the control group. Therefore it can be concluded that Awris traditional dance training program can notably improve muscular strength and cardiovascular endurance of high school students.

High Magnitude of Social Anxiety Disorder in School Adolescents.

Introduction. Social phobia is the most prevalent and chronic type of anxiety disorder worldwide and it affects occupational, educational, and social affairs of the individual. Social phobia is also known for its association with depression and substance use disorder. Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of social phobia among high school students in Ethiopia. Methods. Cross-sectional study was conducted among 386 randomly selected students. Data were collected using pretested and self-administered questionnaire. Social phobia was assessed by using Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN). Logistic regression was used to analyze the data with 95% confidence interval and variables with p value less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Results. From 386 study participants, 106 (27.5%) of them were positive for social phobia. Being female (AOR = 3.1; 95% CI: 1.82–5.27), current alcohol drinking (AOR = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.03–2.98), poor social support (AOR = 2.40; 95% CI: 1.17–4.92), and living with single parent (AOR = 5.72; 95% CI: 2.98–10.99) were significantly associated with social phobia. Conclusion. The proportion of social phobia was higher compared to previous evidences. School-based youth-friendly mental health services might be helpful to tackle this problem.

Factors Associated with Khat Chewing among High School Students in Jimma Town Southwest Ethiopia

Background: Khat is a large green shrub grown in Eastern to Southern Africa and extends to Arabian Peninsula. Khat has its own impact on mental and physical health of the chewers. Studies revealed that khat chewing was associated with frequent absenteeism from class and poor academic performance among students. Although khat has harmful consequences, little is known about factors associated with khat chewing among high school students in Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was conducted on 296 high school students in Jimma city using a structured questionnaire. Khat and risky sexual behavior were assessed using the questionnaire. A structured self-reported questionnaire (SRQ-20) which was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) was used to assess mental distress. The questionnaire was translated into local language was used to assess khat chewing pattern. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine associations between independent variables and khat chewing. Variables with p-value of less than 0.05 in multivariate logistic regression were declared to have statistically significant association with the outcome variable. Result: The life time prevalence of khat chewing among Jimma city high school students was nearly 16%. The current prevalence of khat chewing among these students was 14.2%. Out of this, 71.4% and 28.6% of them were male and females respectively. Out of the students who had mental distress, 22.2% of them were khat chewers. Being in an age group between 19-23 years ((AOR 4.42, 95% CI=1.25, 15.67), being male (AOR 3.76, 95% CI=1.57, 9.02), having suicidal ideation (AOR 3.65, 95% CI=1.3-10.20) and having ever had a sexual contact (AOR, 13.42, 95% CI=2.76-65.16) were positively associated with khat chewing. Conclusion: In this study there was high prevalence of khat chewing which was associated with risky sexual behavior and suicidal ideation that needs necessary action to tackle the problems.

Childhood sexual abuse experiences and its associated factors among adolescent female high school students in Arbaminch town, Gammo Goffa zone, Southern Ethiopia: a mixed method study.

BackgroundChildhood sexual abuse is a major social problem in Africa including Ethiopia. Moreover, little has been explored about the pattern of childhood sexual abuse in the context of high school students in Ethiopia in general and in Arbaminch town in particular. Thus, the present study aims to assess the prevalence and associated factors of childhood sexual abuse among adolescent female high school students in Arbaminch town.MethodsA school- based, cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescent female high school students in Arbaminch town from 3rd to 8th March 2014. Both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection were used. For the quantitative data, a simple random sampling technique was used to select 369 female students from grade ten of the six high schools. A pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data and then analysis was made using SPSS version 20 statistical packages. For the qualitative component, fourteen in-depth interviews were conducted and analysed based on the thematic areas.ResultThe prevalence of life time rape among adolescent female high school students in Arbaminch town was 11 %. The odds of experiencing life time rape was higher among students who lived alone (AOR = 4.30; 95 % CI: 1.81, 10.24) and among students who lived with their friends (AOR = 3.31; 95 % CI: 1.23, 8.89) than those lived with their parents. The chance of experiencing rape among students who have had no open discussions with their parents about sexuality and reproductive health was higher (AOR = 2.93; 95 % CI: 1.33, 6.45) than those who have had discussions.ConclusionThis study revealed high levels of childhood sexual abuse among the adolescent female high school students in Arbaminch town. Ever having a discussion about sexuality and reproductive health with parents, living arrangement of the student, and father’s educational status had statistically significant association with childhood sexual abuse. Unwanted pregnancy and abortion were the most common reproductive outcomes of rape. Comprehensive school based reproductive health education, community based awareness creation, open discussions about sexuality and reproductive health matters with students at family level are recommended.

Alcohol drinking patterns among high school students in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundAlcohol use is an important risk factor for morbidity, mortality and social harm among adolescents. There is paucity of data on alcohol use among high school students in Ethiopia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with alcohol use among high school students in EthiopiaMethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence of alcohol use and its predictors among high school students in eastern Ethiopia in April 2010. A sample of students was taken from all schools based on their enrollment size. Prevalence estimates and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Logistic regression was performed to adjust and examine associations.ResultsA total of 1721 students participated in the study. The mean age of the study population was 16.4 (SD 1.6) years. A total of 372 (22.2%; 95% CI 20.2 - 24.2%) students drink alcohol. Of these, 118 (31.7%) were females and 254 (68.3) males. Multivariate analysis indicated that males (OR 2.09; 95% CI 1.45-3.00), older age (OR 1.16; 95% CI 1.01-1.34), having friends who used alcohol (OR 10.09; 95% CI 6.84-14.89) and living with people who use alcohol (OR 2.77; 95% CI 1.89-4.07) increased the odds of drinking among students.ConclusionThere is a high level of alcohol use among high school students in the study area. Involvement of parents, health workers and school authorities are necessary to avert the problem. Specifically, their involvement in awareness campaigns and peer education training are important to encourage students to avoid alcohol use.

Child sexual abuse and its outcomes among high school students in southwest Ethiopia

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a major contributing factor to the burden of disease among children and adolescents. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of CSA and its outcomes among female high school students in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among Jirren high school female students in April 2005. A total of 323 female students from grade 9 were selected by systematic random sampling and they completed a self-administered questionnaire on experiences of sexual abuse. Data were cleaned and analysed by SPSS/PC statistical package. The results revealed that the prevalence of CSA was 68.7%. Among the different forms of sexual abuses, verbal harassment was the most common (51.4%) followed by sexual intercourse, 18.0% and unwelcome kissing, 17.1%. The commonly indicated abusers in this study were unknown persons (36%) followed by school-mates (31.5%). Among victims of sexual abuse, 7.2% had an unwanted pregnancy and 5.9% had sexually transmitted diseases. The rate of other psychological effects of CSA, such as suicide ideation, suicide attempt, and sexual dysfunction, was high. The overwhelming majority (86.4%) considered sexual abuse to be a major social problem. The study revealed that the prevalence of CSA is high. Reproductive health education should be provided to students. Parents, police, and the public in general should be made aware of the problem before it endangers the lives of children and adolescents.