Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research article

High prevalence of substance use and associated factors among high school adolescents in Woreta Town, Northwest Ethiopia: multi-domain factor analysis

Authors: Anteneh Messele Birhanu, Telake Azale Bisetegn, Solomon Meseret Woldeyohannes

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2014

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Substance use is a major public health concern in global settings, and is very common during adolescence period leading to physical and/or mental health complications. This study assessed the prevalence of substance use and associated factors among high school adolescents in Woreta Town, Northwest Ethiopia, 2012.

Methods

A school based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 7 to April 15, 2012 amongst 684 9th to 12th grade high school students in the town of Woreta. Participants were selected by stratified sampling, and data were collected using an anonymous questionnaire adapted from the 2008 Community That Care Youth Survey. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with substance use.

Results

A total of 651 students participated in the study with a response rate of 95.2%. The current prevalence of substance use among Woreta high school students was 47.9% and life-time prevalence was 65.4%. The current and lifetime prevalence of alcohol use was 40.9% and 59% respectively. Siblings’ use of substances (AOR [95% CI]: 2.72 [1.79, 4.14]), family history of alcohol and substance use (AOR [95% CI] 2.24 [1.39-3.59]) and friends’ use of substances (AOR [95% CI] 2.14 [1.44-3.18]) were factors positively associated with substance use. On the other hand, religiosity and social skill were found to be 54% (AOR [95% CI] 0.46, [0.31-0.68]) and 39% (AOR [95% CI] 0.6 [0.40-0.91]) negatively associated with substance use.

Conclusions

The prevalence of substance use amongst adolescents was high for the three substances namely alcohol, cigarette and khat with alcohol being the most common. Community norms favorable to substance use, family history of alcohol and substance use, siblings’ substance use, poor academic performance, low perceived risk of substances and friends’ use of substances had positive association with adolescent substance use while religiosity and social skills were found to have negative association with adolescent substance use. Initiate public awareness campaigns to inform adolescents and adults, particularly parents, of the risk of substance use. Developing culture friendly, gender based adolescent and family based programs and initiating public awareness are recommended to decrease substance use by adolescents.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
Steinberg L: Risk taking in adolescence: what changes, and why?. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2004, 1021 (1): 51-58. 10.1196/annals.1308.005.CrossRefPubMed
2.
Odejide AO: Status of drug use/abuse in Africa: a review. Int J Ment Health Addict. 2006, 4 (2): 87-102. 10.1007/s11469-006-9015-y.CrossRef
3.
Palen L-A, Smith EA, Flisher AJ, Caldwell LL, Mpofu E: Substance use and sexual risk behavior among South African eighth grade students. J Adolesc Health. 2006, 39 (5): 761-763. 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2006.04.016.CrossRefPubMed
4.
Oshodi OY, Aina OF, Onajole AT: Substance use among secondary school students in an urban setting in Nigeria: prevalence and associated factors. Afr J Psychiatr. 2010, 13 (1): 52-57.CrossRef
5.
Atwoli L, Mungla PA, Ndung’u MN, Kinoti KC, Ogot EM: Prevalence of substance use among college students in Eldoret, western Kenya. BMC Psychiatry. 2011, 11 (34): 11-34.
6.
Kebede Y, Abula T: Substance Abuse For the Ethiopian Health Center Team. 2005, Addis Ababa: Ethiopian Public Health training Initiative, 1
7.
Volkow ND, Li TK: Drugs and alcohol: treating and preventing abuse, addiction and their medical consequences. Pharmacol Ther. 2005, 108 (1): 3-17. 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2005.06.021.CrossRefPubMed
8.
Bond L, Toumbourou J, Thomas L, Catalano R, Patton G: Individual, family, school, and community risk and protective factors for depressive symptoms in adolescents: a comparison of risk profiles for substance use and depressive symptoms. Prev Sci. 2005, 6 (2): 73-88. 10.1007/s11121-005-3407-2.CrossRefPubMed
9.
World Health Organizaiton: WHO Global alcohol report: Action needed to reduce health impact of harmful alcohol use. 2012
10.
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: American congress of obstetricians and gynecologistsn committee opinion No 422 at-risk drinking and illicit drug use: ethical issues in obstetric and gynecologic practice. Obstet Gynecol. 2008, 112 (6): 1449-1460. 10.1097/AOG.0b013e318192499b.CrossRef
11.
Bukstein OG, Bernet W, Arnold V, Beitchman J, Shaw J, Benson RS, Kinlan J, McClellan J, Stock S, Ptakowski KK: Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with substance use disorders. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2005, 44 (6): 609-621. 10.1097/01.chi.0000159135.33706.37.CrossRefPubMed
12.
World Health Organizaiton: Ethiopian Alcohol Consumptions Report Geneva. 2011
13.
Negussie B: Substance use among high school students in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. Harar Bull Health Sci. 2012, 4: 38-42.
14.
Damena T, Mossie A, Tesfaye M: Khat chewing and mental distress: a community based study, in jimma city, southwestern ethiopia. Ethiop J Health Sci. 2011, 21 (1): 37-45.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
15.
Feyissa AM, Kelly JP: A review of the neuropharmacological properties of khat. Prog Neuro-Psychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2008, 32 (5): 1147-1166. 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2007.12.033.CrossRef
16.
Gebissa E: Scourge of life or an economic lifeline? public discourses on Khat (Catha edulis) in Ethiopia. Subst Use Misuse. 2008, 43 (6): 784-802. 10.1080/10826080701738950.CrossRefPubMed
17.
Beckerleg S: Khat special edition introduction. Subst Use Misuse. 2008, 43 (6): 749-761. 10.1080/10826080701739057.CrossRefPubMed
18.
Prevalence and Predictors of Chat Chewing Among School Going Adolescents: Cross-Sectional Study, Eastern Ethiopia, 2010. 22nd Annual Ethiopian Public Health Association Conference. Edited by: Moges A, Biadglign S, Yazew B. 2011, Addis Ababa: Ethiopian Public Health Association(EPHA)
19.
Tonstad S, Johnston JA: Cardiovascular risks associated with smoking: a review for clinicians. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil. 2006, 13 (4): 507-514. 10.1097/01.hjr.0000214609.06738.62.CrossRefPubMed
20.
Asaria P, Chisholm D, Mathers C, Ezzati M, Beaglehole R: Chronic disease prevention: health effects and financial costs of strategies to reduce salt intake and control tobacco use. Lancet. 2007, 370 (9604): 2044-2053. 10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61698-5.CrossRefPubMed
21.
Abdullah AS, Husten CG: Promotion of smoking cessation in developing countries: a framework for urgent public health interventions. Thorax. 2004, 59 (7): 623-630. 10.1136/thx.2003.018820.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
22.
23.
Kwamanga DH, Odhiambo JA, Amukoye EI: Prevalence and risk factors of smoking among secondary school students in Nairobi. East Afr Med J. 2003, 80 (4): 207-212.PubMed
24.
Determinant of Tobaco Use among School Adolescents in Eastern Ethiopia: A cross - Sectional Study,2010. 22nd Ethiopian Public Health Association Conference. Edited by: Reda A. 2011, Addis Ababa: Ethiopian Public Health Association(EPHA)
25.
Drug Administration and Control Authority of Ethiopia: A Report On Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) Conducted in Secondary Schools in Addis Ababa-Ethiopia. 2005, Addis Ababa: Drug Administration and Control Authority
26.
Sawair FA, Al-Mutwakel A, Al-Eryani K, Al-Surhy A, Maruyama S, Cheng J, Al-Sharabi A, Saku T: High relative frequency of oral squamous cell carcinoma in Yemen: qat and tobacco chewing as its aetiological background. Int J Environ Health Res. 2007, 17 (3): 185-195. 10.1080/09603120701254813.CrossRefPubMed
27.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. To Live To See the Great Day That Dawns: Preventing Suicide by American Indian and Alaska Native Youth and Young Adults. 2010
28.
Oman RF, Vesely S, Aspy CB, McLeroy KR, Rodine S, Marshall L: The potential protective effect of youth assets on adolescent alcohol and drug use. Am J Public Health. 2004, 94 (8): 1425-1430. 10.2105/AJPH.94.8.1425.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
29.
Gavin LE, Catalano RF, Markham CM: Positive youth development as a strategy to promote adolescent sexual and reproductive health. J Adolesc Health. 2010, 46 (3): S1-S6. 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.12.017.CrossRefPubMed
30.
Bernard B: What We Have Learned. 2004, San Francisco: West Ed
31.
Murphey DA, Lamonda KH, Carney JK, Duncan P: Relationships of a brief measure of youth assets to health-promoting and risk behaviors. J Adolesc Health. 2004, 34 (3): 184-191. 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2003.05.004.CrossRefPubMed
32.
Pennings EJM, Opperhuizen A, van Amsterdam JGC: Risk assessment of khat use in the Netherlands: a review based on adverse health effects, prevalence, criminal involvement and public order. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2008, 52 (3): 199-207. 10.1016/j.yrtph.2008.08.005.CrossRefPubMed
33.
Snyder L, Fleming-Milici F: Disentangling the Influence of Peer and Parental Norms, Attitudes, and Outcome Expectancies on Youth Drinking Behavior: A National Longitudinal Study. Annual meeting of the International Communication Association. 2009, New York City, NY: Sheraton New York
34.
Rudatsikira E, Abdo A, Muula AS: Prevalence and determinants of adolescent tobacco smoking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. BMC Public Health. 2007, 7: 176-10.1186/1471-2458-7-176.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
35.
Central Statistical Agency: 2010 National statistics Abstract: Population size by sex, area and density by region and woreda estimated for the year 2011. 2011
36.
Prevalence of Substance Use and its determinants among high school students in Addis Ababa. 22nd Annual Ethiopian Public Health Association Conference on the theme “alcohol, tobaco and substance abuse”. Edited by: Teshome D. 2011, Addis Ababa: Ethiopian Public Health Association(EPHA)
37.
Deressa W, Azazh A: Substance use and its predictors among undergraduate medical students of Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia. BMC Public Health. 2011, 11 (660): 1471-2458.
38.
Hamdulay AK, Mash R: The prevalence of substance use and its associations amongst students attending high school in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town. S Afr Fam Pract. 2011, 53 (1): 83-90. 10.1080/20786204.2011.10874065.CrossRef
39.
Ageely HM: Prevalence of Khat chewing in college and secondary (high) school students of Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. Harm Reduct J. 2009, 6 (11): 1477-7517.
40.
Vieira PC, Aerts DR, Freddo SL, Bittencourt A, Monteiro L: [Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use by teenage students in a city in Southern Brazil]. Cad Saude Publica. 2008, 24 (11): 2487-2498. 10.1590/S0102-311X2008001100004.CrossRefPubMed
41.
Corona R, Turf E, Corneille MA, Belgrave FZ, Nasim A: Risk and protective factors for tobacco use among 8th- and 10th-grade African American students in Virginia. Prev Chron Dis. 2009, 6 (2): 16-
42.
Beyers JM, Toumbourou JW, Catalano RF, Arthur MW, Hawkins JD: A cross-national comparison of risk and protective factors for adolescent substance use: the United States and Australia. J Adolesc Health. 2004, 35 (1): 3-16.PubMed
43.
Sale E, Sambrano S, Springer JF, Turner CW: Risk, protection, and substance use in adolescents: a multi-site model. J Drug Educ. 2003, 33 (1): 91-105. 10.2190/LFJ0-ER64-1FVY-PA7L.CrossRefPubMed
44.
Hemphill SA, Heerde JA, Herrenkohl TI, Patton GC, Toumbourou JW, Catalano RF: Risk and protective factors for adolescent substance use in Washington State, the United States and Victoria, Australia: a longitudinal study. J Adolesc Health. 2011, 49 (3): 312-320. 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2010.12.017.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
Metadata
Title
High prevalence of substance use and associated factors among high school adolescents in Woreta Town, Northwest Ethiopia: multi-domain factor analysis
Authors
Anteneh Messele Birhanu
Telake Azale Bisetegn
Solomon Meseret Woldeyohannes
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-1186

Other articles of this Issue 1/2014

BMC Public Health 1/2014 Go to the issue

Research article

Integration of HIV and cervical cancer screening perceptions of healthcare providers and policy makers in Uganda

Research article

Culture, acculturation and smoking use in Hmong, Khmer, Laotians, and Vietnamese communities in Minnesota

Study protocol

A natural experiment to examine the impact of park renewal on park-use and park-based physical activity in a disadvantaged neighbourhood: the REVAMP study methods

Research article

Prevalence of dyslipidemia and its association with insomnia in a community based population in China

Research article

Is the association between high strain work and depressive symptoms modified by private life social support: a cohort study of 1,074 Danish employees?

Research article

A repeated measurement study investigating the impact of school outdoor environment upon physical activity across ages and seasons in Swedish second, fifth and eighth graders