Prevalence Of Abuse Research Articles

Prevalence of child maltreatment in Albania

Background: Child maltreatment is a global issue that significantly impacts children's lives. In 2018, 32% of 15-year-olds in Albania reported experiencing physical abuse. Aim: To assess the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of child abuse and neglect in Albania. Methods: This was the 2022 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children nationwide survey in Albania conducted among 1877 schoolchildren (55% girls) aged 15 years. We collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, and exposure to domestic violence. We analysed the data using SPSS version 19.0 and used binary logistic regression to assess associations between child abuse, neglect and sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Lifetime prevalence rates were 33.1% for physical abuse, 16.2% for emotional abuse, 3.7% for sexual abuse, 15.7% for emotional neglect, and 7.0% for witness to domestic violence. Children living in urban areas had higher odds of experiencing physical or emotional abuse (OR = 1.4 and 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1–1.7 and 1.2–2.2). Girls had higher odds of experiencing emotional abuse (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.4–2.4) or emotional neglect (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 2.5–4.6). Girls and children from less affluent families had lower odds of experiencing sexual abuse (OR = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.3–0.9; OR = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.3–0.8, respectively). Children whose fathers were unemployed had higher odds of witnessing domestic violence (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.1–3.2). Conclusion: Abuse and neglect are highly prevalent among Albanian children aged 15 years, raising concerns over their future wellbeing. Action is needed by professionals and caregivers and at policy level to mitigate the negative impact and promote children's protection and well-being in the country.

Aggressivity in Schizophrenia: The Risk and Confounders in a Romanian Setting

<p dir="ltr"><span>There is an increased stigma in Romania regarding schizophrenia patients, who are thought to be violent and dangerous. However, there is little research on this topic that analyzes the exact risk of aggressive behavior, especially considering the high prevalence of alcohol and substance abuse, conditions also associated with a potential risk of violent behavior. The objectives of this study were to compare aggressivity levels between patients with schizophrenia admitted to an emergency hospital and healthy individuals and to find possible risk factors. This case-control study, matched for age and gender included 50 patients hospitalized for schizophrenia and 50 healthy participants from an emergency psychiatric facility in Romania. We collected demographic data and screened for major mental disorders using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Aggressivity levels were measured with the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ). The CAGE questionnaire and the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10) were used to screen for alcohol and substance use disorder. The results highlighted a 3.93 times increase in aggressivity in the schizophrenia group, with the involvement of specific violent domains. Younger men with alcohol abuse had a higher risk of violent acts. Schizophrenia patients appear to present an increased risk of violence, but this must be carefully assessed and confounders considered. Public health programs are needed to increase treatment compliance and decrease alcohol and other psychoactive substances consumption. </span></p>

Konsep Pengasuhan Positif Berdasarkan Falsafah Sapa Sira Sapa Ingsun Sebagai Solusi Toxic Parenting

The Indonesian Central Statistics Agency reports that 30.2 million children require adequate social, economic, and educational protection, yet toxic parenting systems often become the main obstacle. The high prevalence of child abuse indicates the need for positive and culturally-based parenting approaches. This study aims to explore and test the Sapa Sira Sapa Ingsun philosophy as a positive parenting approach to address toxic parenting. The first study involved in-depth interviews with figures from the Surakarta Palace, revealing parenting principles such as the balance between intellectual, spiritual, and emotional intelligence, and two-way communication. The second study confirmed these findings through the opinions of parenting experts. The third study, a psychodrama experiment with 34 parents, demonstrated that positive parenting based on the Sapa Sira Sapa Ingsun philosophy is effective in reducing toxic parenting. Paired samples t-test results showed a significant difference between pre-test and post-test scores, with t(33) = 9.84 and p < 0.001. The effect size calculated using Cohen's d was 1.69, indicating a very large effect of the intervention. This shows a statistically significant difference between pre-test and post-test scores, suggesting a meaningful change after the intervention. In conclusion, the Sapa Sira Sapa Ingsun philosophy can be widely applied as a positive parenting solution to overcome toxic parenting.

EMPOWERING B40 YOUTH IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA: RISK LITERACY FACTORS AND WELL-BEING

ABSTRACT The prevalence of drug abuse, self-injury, and juvenile delinquency highlights the concerning social risks faced by young people today. Hence, educating this group on risks or risk literacy is crucial. Risk literacy is perceiving risks to make rational decisions for healthier well-being. This study aims to determine risk literacy factors influencing the well-being of B40 youth. To achieve the study's objective, data was gathered from a survey involving 423 youths from the low-income group (B40) in Peninsular Malaysia. A two-stage sampling technique was employed, and data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The study shows that thoughtful decision-making and effective risk communication are the main predictors of youth well-being. Being a risk-literate youth is essential to reduce the risk of poor decisions. The study's findings, which have the potential to significantly impact policy formulation, are crucial for assisting this group in escaping poverty. This, in turn, can enhance their overall well-being. Keywords: Decision-Making, Risk Literacy, Risk Communication, Youth, Well-Being

TRENDS AND PATTERNS OF DRUG ABUSE

This study investigates the trends and patterns of drug abuse and its associated criminal behaviors in Yola Metropolis, Adamawa State. The primary objective is to assess the prevalence and patterns of illicit drug use, exploring its correlation with rising crime rates in the metropolis. Utilizing a quantitative research design, the study collected data from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) over five years, focusing on reported drug-related offenses and crime incidents. The results revealed a concerning upward trend in drug abuse, particularly in substances like marijuana, tramadol, and methamphetamine, alongside a parallel increase in various criminal activities including theft, assault, and drug trafficking. A significant correlation (Pearson coefficient of approximately 0.999) was found between drug abuse prevalence and crime rates, highlighting the complex relationship between substance abuse and criminality in Yola Metropolis. The findings emphasize the urgent need for integrated public health and law enforcement strategies to address the intertwined issues of drug abuse and crime, including enhanced prevention and treatment programs tailored to the local context. This study contributes to the understanding of drug-related challenges in urban Nigeria, emphasizing the necessity for comprehensive intervention approaches to mitigate the social and public health effects of illicit drug use.

Estimating the Prevalence of Child Abuse and Neglect Among Adolescents in Primary Care Through Diagnoses Codes and Free-Text EHR Clinical Notes

IntroductionAdolescents’ child abuse and neglect experiences are often under-documented in primary care, leading to missed opportunities for interventions. This study compares the prevalence of child abuse and neglect cases identified by diagnostic codes versus a natural language processing approach of clinical notes. MethodWe retrospectively analyzed data from 8,157 adolescents, using ICD-10 codes and a natural language processing algorithm to identify child abuse and neglect cases and applied topic modeling on clinical notes to extract prevalent topics. ResultsThe natural language processing approach identified more cases of child abuse and neglect cases (n = 294) compared to ICD-10 codes (n = 111). Additionally, topic modeling of clinical notes showed the multifaceted nature of child abuse and neglect as captured in clinical narratives. DiscussionIntegrating natural language processing with ICD codes has the potential to enhance the identification and documentation of child abuse and neglect, which could lead to earlier and more targeted interventions and coordinated care.

Alcohol Use and Abuse Among Family Caregivers of People Living with Dementia in the United States: A Scoping Review.

The population of the United States is rapidly aging due to a number of factors, such as lower fertility rates and increases in life expectancy. Globally, dementia is a leading cause of disability among older adults, affecting approximately 50 million people. Family caregivers, who often have to sacrifice their health and well-being, provide most of the care needed by older adults living with dementia. Further, alcohol is one of the most commonly used substances in the United States. Considering the stress and unfavorable health outcomes that are associated with caring for a loved one with dementia, it is important to understand the prevalence of alcohol use and abuse among family caregivers. In this study, Arksey and O'Malley's five-stage approach for a scoping review is used to examine the nature and scope of a body of research related to alcohol use and abuse among family caregivers of people living with dementia in the United States. Overall, the results show a paucity of research on the prevalence and implications of alcohol use among family caregivers. The identified studies suggest that family caregivers may be less likely to misuse alcohol than non-caregivers. However, additional population-wide studies are needed.

The Global Prevalence of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Schools between 2012 and 2022: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Purpose This review aimed to synthesize existing research on the prevalence of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (CSEA) in schools, while also identifying key moderators that influence these rates. Methods A comprehensive database search from 2012 to 2022 was conducted. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression were performed to examine the impact of various moderators on prevalence rates. Results 70 studies with sample sizes ranging from 381 to 4,511 were included. The global prevalence of CSEA in schools was found to be 1.6%. Key moderators included the study’s regional origin, the income level of the country, and the type of CSEA, with no significant variations noted based on gender, sample source/participant age, response rate, time period, data collection year, and publication year. Discussion Highlighting the need for ongoing vigilance in CSEA prevention within schools, the study suggested targeted interventions based on identified moderating variables.

Elder Abuse between EAG and non-EAG States in India: A Decomposition Analysis Approach

Objective: The primary aim of this study is to identify the key factors contributing to the differences in the prevalence of elder abuse between Empowered Action Group (EAG) states and non-EAG states. Methods: The data for this study was sourced from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) Wave 1, conducted in 2017-18. The study focused on older adults aged 60+ from a sample of 10,686 from EAG states and 20,166 from non-EAG states. A multivariate nonlinear decomposition analysis was conducted to identify the key factors contributing to the gap in elder abuse prevalence between EAG and non-EAG states in India. The main goal was to determine the covariates driving these variations. Results: The decomposition analysis revealed a significant rise in elder abuse rates among EAG states compared to non-EAG states, driven largely by changes in behavioral responses.

Investigation of the Prevalence of Child Abuse and Its Influencing Factors by Parents

Background: The prevalence of child abuse is increasing globally, and this form of abuse can lead to severe and long-term problems in adulthood. In Iran, child abuse ranks as the most common form of domestic violence. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of abuse and its influencing factors among elementary school children. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 2023 in the city of Abadan. A total of 378 students from grades two to six in seven schools were selected using cluster and random sampling methods. The research instruments included a demographic questionnaire and a standard child abuse questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS21 software, with both descriptive and analytical statistics applied. Results: The average age of the children was 10.43 years. The most common form of child abuse reported was parental neglect, with a prevalence of 75.53%. A significant relationship was found between physical abuse and factors such as the father's education (P = 0.001), parental illness (P = 0.001), parental addiction (P = 0.006), and parents' divorce (P = 0.03). Additionally, psychological abuse was significantly associated with the mother's education (P = 0.001), parental addiction (P = 0.02), loneliness at home (P = 0.002), and the child's grade (P = 0.001). Parental neglect showed a significant relationship with the child's grade (P = 0.014), birth order (P = 0.004), and place of living (P = 0.053). Conclusions: The most common form of abuse among students was parental neglect. A lack of parental awareness regarding appropriate child-rearing behaviors can contribute to child abuse. Therefore, it is recommended that schools and other relevant institutions increase efforts to educate parents on preventing various forms of abuse.

Abstract Strengths and difficulties Lithuania

Abstract Background Most mental health disorders begin before the age of 18, peaking at 14.5 years (Solmi, 2022) and manifest as emotional and behavioural difficulties that are more frequent in institutional social care (ISC): former foster care recipients have higher rates of depression and PTSD than the general population (Pecora, 2009). The rate of children living in residential care facilities in Europe and Central Asia is double the global average (UNICEF, 2024). This study aims to assess and compare the mental health of children in ISC centers and regular high schools. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in ISC centres and high schools in 2022-2023. The sample size consisted of children aged 11-17 living in ISC (n = 49) or in families (n = 193). Online anonymous survey was applied to assess the prevalence of endured violence, substance use and measure mental health outcomes using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ-25). Results A total of 242 respondents (age mean 14.6, SD = 2.12) in ISC and families showed similar poor mental health rates (42% and 44%, respectively). Prosocial behaviour problems were exhibited more by boys (p < 0.05), whereas emotional symptoms were more common in families (p < 0.001): 90% normal SDQ-25 scores in ISC vs 60% in families. Enduring psychological (38% vs 60.2%) violence was more prevalent among children in families (p < 0.05); smoking - in ISC, alcohol use - in families (p < 0.05). In both groups enduring physical violence was associated with smoking and alcohol use (p < 0.05), and overall poor SDQ-25 results strongly correlated (p < 0.001, r = 0.815, r = 0.610, respectively) with hyperactivity. Conclusions A significant part of study participants reported poor mental health outcomes with most problems in relationships with peers. Mental health risk factors such as violence or substance abuse are associated with poor emotional wellbeing while being more common among children living with families. Key messages • Children living in ISC and in families demonstrate similar level of mental health problems. • Varying prevalence of substance abuse among children living in different settings highlights the importance of environmental factors when addressing the issue.

The impact of childhood abuse on future military sexual assault and PTSD symptomology in Australian veterans.

The trauma most commonly associated with the military is combat-related trauma. It is increasingly recognised that childhood sexual and physical abuse and military sexual assault may influence or exacerbate posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when military members are exposed to combat. The study aimed to determine whether a history of childhood sexual and physical abuse would increase the likelihood of military sexual assault (MSA) and determine whether a history of sexual abuse (childhood or military) impacted the incidence and severity of post-trauma sequelae compared to veterans without this history. A retrospective correlational analysis was performed on baseline data collected from clinical case records of a cohort of 134 Australian veterans with PTSD who had attended an outpatient Military Service Trauma Recovery Day Programme between October 2020 and May 2022. Almost half (48.5%) of veterans reported a history of abuse. Prevalence rates of military sexual abuse, child sexual abuse and child physical abuse were 14.9%, 13.4% and 23.1% respectively. The relationship between those who experienced childhood abuse and those who experienced military sexual abuse was not significant. No significant differences were observed between those who experienced any sexual abuse and those who did not on intake scores of psychological symptoms. This is the first Australian study to investigate the prevalence of childhood abuse and military sexual abuse and its impact on PTSD and associated psychopathology in a sample of veterans seeking mental health treatment. No additional risks of experiencing military sexual assault were found for those who had survived childhood sexual abuse.

Development and Initial Validation of a Scale to Measure Social Abuse in Intimate Partner Relationships.

Social abuse represents a distinct form of intimate partner violence characterized by intentional violations of a victim's social rights and inherent need to belong. This is achieved by tactics such as severing, interfering with, and surveilling the victim's social connections as well as limiting their social participation. Such abuse often results in victims experiencing social isolation, potentially causing adverse mental health outcomes and failure to seek help. This study aimed to develop and validate the Social Abuse Scale (SAS) to measure social abuse in intimate partner relationships. After generating the preliminary items, content validity testing was performed. Ten international experts reviewed the items and assessed their relevance. Additionally, 17 interview participants assessed the items for clarity and ease of response. Thereafter, the SAS was administered to 251 individuals, either currently in or who had an intimate relationship in the previous year. The final SAS comprised 30 items unified under a single-factor structure, which accounted for approximately 69.77% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the model's satisfactory fit. The instrument showed excellent internal consistency, as evidenced by Cronbach's alpha and a McDonald's omega value of .986. The SAS can be employed to investigate the prevalence of social abuse, its underlying mechanisms, and its impacts, and it can also assist in further development and evaluation of programs aimed at its prevention.

A Study on Tapentadol Misuse and Abuse among Heroin Users Attending a Deaddiction Center in Kashmir

Abstract Background: Tapentadol is a powerful opioid receptor agonist and a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, making it a centrally acting analgesic. In India, where the government is trying to combat an ongoing opioid crisis, the lack of scheduling of tapentadol creates an easy opportunity for its misuse. We aim to analyze the demographic and clinical characteristics of heroin users who also abuse tapentadol concurrently through our cross-sectional study done at the drug-deaddiction center situated at the community center of SMHS Hospital, Srinagar, Kashmir. Material and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study done at the Community Centre of SMHS hospital Srinagar, which houses the drug deaddiction centre run by the Psychiatry Department of GMC(Government Medical College) Srinagar. From 1st June 2023 until 30th November 2023, we gathered data for our investigation. After gaining informed consent, all the first-time heroin-dependent patients at the deaddiction facility who admitted to using tapentadol were included in the study. Patients’ age, sex, marital status, family composition, and level of education were analysed in accordance with a predefined proforma. In addition, the modified Kuppuswamy scale was used to categorise patients based on their socioeconomic status. Parameters such as the pattern of tapentadol use, the route of heroin use, and the comparison of the psychoactive effects of tapentadol and heroin were recorded using a proforma to create a clinical profile of such patients. Results: Our sample comprised 100 participants. The prevalence of tapentadol abuse among heroin users in our study came out to be 16%. The average age of our study participants was 25.11 ± 2.99 years. The vast majority of our patients were male (97%). The vast majority (58%) of our participants were from lower socioeconomic status. Ninety-eight percent of our subjects used oral tapentadol while there were 2 (2%) instances of intravenous tapentadol use. The majority of participants used the “Tapal” brand (60%). Tapentadol was mainly obtained either through a chemist’s shop (35%) (with or without a prescription) or through a friend (37%). Half of the subjects (50%) obtained tapentadol for the purpose of managing heroin withdrawal. Thirty-five percent of participants used tapentadol in a dependent manner, while the remaining 65% either misused or abused the drug. Conclusion: The continued heroin usage crisis, lenient tapentadol procurement regulations, and the use of nonevidence-based drugs for the treatment of opioid use disorder all contribute to the problem of tapentadol abuse in our region.

An Exploration of the Knowledge and Current Practices of Frontline Workers Regarding Elder Abuse.

Annually, approximately 16% of adults aged 60 and older are victims of abuse in community settings. A critical first step toward effectively intervening and reducing the prevalence of elder abuse is to better understand the current state of knowledge, beliefs, and practices. This qualitative descriptive study explored the perceptions of US frontline community workers regarding elder abuse through focus groups and interviews conducted in the spring and summer of 2021. Participants represented various aging and victim services (n = 9), healthcare (n = 7), and law enforcement (n = 8). Thematic data analysis led to the emergence of three major themes in our data: societal influence, individual circumstances, and nature of abuse. Our findings point out several directions in which researchers and policymakers can begin moving the field forward. These include the need to focus on prevention strategies as well as the need to reduce ageist beliefs and attitudes.

Psychosocial and pandemic-related circumstances of suicide deaths in 2020: Evidence from the National Violent Death Reporting System.

To describe and explore variation in 'pandemic-related circumstances' among suicide decedents during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. We identified pandemic-related circumstances using decedents' text narratives in the 2020 National Violent Death Reporting System. We use time-series analysis to compare other psychosocial characteristics (e.g., mental health history, interpersonal difficulties, financial strain) of decedents pre-pandemic (2017/2018: n = 56,968 suicide and n = 7,551 undetermined deaths) to those in 2020 (n = 31,887 suicide and n = 4,100 undetermined). We characterize common themes in the narratives with pandemic-related circumstances using topic modeling, and explore variation in topics by age and other psychosocial circumstances. In 2020, n = 2,502 (6.98%) narratives described pandemic-related circumstances. Compared to other deaths in 2020 and to the pre-pandemic period, decedents with pandemic-related circumstances were older and more highly educated. Common themes of pandemic-related circumstances narratives included: concerns about shutdown restrictions, financial losses, and infection risk. Relative to decedents of the same age that did not have pandemic-related circumstances in 2020, those with pandemic-related circumstances were more likely to also have financial (e.g., for 25-44 years, 43% vs. 12%) and mental health (76% vs. 66%) psychosocial circumstances, but had similar or lower prevalence of substance abuse (47% vs. 49%) and interpersonal (40% vs. 42%) circumstances. While descriptive, these findings help contextualize suicide mortality during the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and can inform mental health promotion efforts during similar public health emergencies.

Technology-Facilitated Abuse Among College Students: Prevalence and Consequences, and Examinations by Gender and Sexual Identity.

The purpose of this investigation is to document the prevalence and consequences of technology-facilitated abuse (TFA) among college students and examine whether gender identity and sexual identity are associated with TFA exposure and related academic and mental health consequences. Data were analyzed from a campus climate survey distributed in Spring 2022. Data from 1,543 college students were collected for TFA experiences, academic consequences, and TFA-related depression, anxiety, and traumatic stress. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to test for unique contributions of sexual identity, gender identity, and number of TFA experiences to the outcomes of academic consequences, depression, anxiety, and traumatic stress. The number of TFA experiences was a significant predictor across all models. The contributions of sexual identity and gender identity differed for each outcome. The results of this study align with prior research which has found sexual identity and gender identity to affect outcomes associated with TFA. In addition, TFA was more prevalent among sexual and gender minority students, and the consequences of TFA were more severe within this population. These results suggest that programming takes a dual approach in addressing TFA through reducing TFA exposure and mitigating the impacts of TFA on mental health and other outcomes.

Prevalence and factors influencing substance abuse among secondary school students in Mbeya City, Tanzania

Background: Substance abuse among students has far-reaching social, religious, economic, health and demographic consequences, such as unplanned pregnancies, school dropouts, abortions, maternal and newborn mortality, infection risks and other psychological problems. Our study investigated the prevalence of substance abuse among secondary school students in Mbeya City, Tanzania. Methods: This school-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to May 2021 among secondary students from Mbeya City, Tanzania. Students completed a self-administered substance use questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 343 students were requested to participate in the study. However, 300 agreed to indicate 87% response rate. 9.7% (n=59) reported substance use, primarily cannabis, 75% (n=225) and alcohol, 68% (n=204). Friends influenced substance use among 82.7% of users. Reported immediate effects included misbehaviour, 73.7% (n=221) and unprotected sex, 72.3% (n=217). Long-term harms were predominantly brain damage (86.7%). Community education (78%) and media campaigns (76.7%) were suggested to curb use. Conclusion: Substance abuse among a sizable minority of Mbeya City secondary school students is driven by peer influence and has detrimental impacts reported by students themselves. Comprehensive education and preventive strategies engaging families, schools and communities are recommended to address this critical youth issue. Keywords: Substance abuse; cannabis; alcohol; secondary school students; Tanzania.

“We need help too”: establishing client and practitioner demand for responsive programs for women sentenced for child sexual abuse in Australia

There is growing recognition internationally of the prevalence and impact of female-perpetrated child sexual abuse (CSA). Prior research has indicated gender-specific offending pathways and motivations for women involved in this crime, bringing into question whether there is a need for tailored offense-­specific interventions and whether these would increase treatment efficacy for this population. Using data collected across three Australian jurisdictions, this study used a mixed-methods design to explore the perceptions of correctional practitioners (n = 44) and justice-involved women currently serving a sentence for CSA (n = 18) on accessibility and demand for offense-specific correctional programs, and perceived benefits of such programs. Results indicate substantial support from practitioners (93.18%) and justice-involved women (100%) for the development of offense-specific interventions, despite there currently being few opportunities to access such interventions within correctional settings in Australia. A range of perceived benefits of such programs were indicated by both sample populations, namely, that targeted support would likely reduce the risk of recidivism by promoting greater self-awareness and improvement, peer support, and future-focused planning. Findings highlight a significant practice gap in correctional treatment and underscore the current demand for offense-specific interventions to improve outcomes for women who perpetrate CSA.

Prevalence and Consequences of Substance Abuse among Undergraduates in Ilorin Metropolis

This study investigated the prevalence and consequences of substance abuse among undergraduates in Kwara State. The study examines whether or not moderating variables such as age, gender and family type would influence the respondents’ view on the prevalence and consequences of substance abuse among Undergraduates in Kwara State. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 60 respondents from each of the three selected institutions. Thus, a total of 180 respondents participated in the study. A researcher-developed questionnaire titled "Prevalence and Consequences of Substance Abuse Questionnaire (PCSAQ)" was used to collect data for the study, using a t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that the prevalent substances among undergraduates in Kwara State are cigarettes, alcohol, and tobacco among others. The findings also revealed that the consequences of substance abuse among undergraduates in Kwara State are low self-esteem, dropping out of school, and social isolation (i.e. Poor relationships with others) among others. The findings of this study also revealed that there was no significant difference in the prevalence and consequences of substance abuse among undergraduates based on age and family type. However, a significant difference was found in the prevalence and consequences of substance abuse based on gender. Based on the findings, it was recommended 1) that undergraduate students should be properly oriented by the counsellors on the dangers associated with substance abuse at the beginning of their academic year, 2) seminars and workshops should be provided by counsellors so that students would be informed about the consequences of substance abuse, 3) education should be properly structured and provided to students by school counsellor and parents at the early stage of development and 4) counsellors should organize seminars on the prevalence and consequences of substance abuse on the health of individual.