PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF SUBSTANCES USE AMONG HIGH AND PREPARATORY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN METEMA, NORTH WEST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: - Substances use for high and preparatory school students is a major public health problem in Ethiopia, despite a growing number of substance users, little attention has been given by the research community and the government. This study investigated the prevalence of substance use and its associated factors among high and preparatory school students in Metema North West Ethiopia. Objective:-The main aim of this study was to assess substance use and its associated factors among high and preparatory school students in Metema 2021. Method: - Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among Metema high and preparatory school students from April1-30/2021. Multistage sampling technique was employed to select 842 study participants. Data were cleaned and entered in to EpiData and transported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Descriptive statistics was done and findings were presented in tables and besides bi variable and multivariable logistic regression model were employed to identify the factors associated with substances use. Statistical significance was declared at p-value of <0.05 considering the respective AOR at 95% of CI. Result: The overall prevalence of current substance use was 283(34.3%) with 95%CI, 31.2-37.5). Factors like had not good relationship with their parents (AOR=1.82,95% CI=1.82(1.07-3.13]), attending class irregularly (sometimes)AOR=3.93,95%CI(2.33-6.63), hopelessness(AOR=4.8,95%CI,(2.708.5),

use substances for reading purposes AOR=3.36, 95%CI,(1.94-5.82), live in perceived community norms allow buying substances under the age 18 AOR=2.08,95%CI(1.10-3.91) were found to have statistically significant association with current substance use. Conclusion and recommendation: - The current prevalence of substance use among school students of this study area was relatively high. It needs special attention from parents, school community and ministry of health to reduce substances use from students. Key word: - substances use, tobacco, khat, alcohol and shisha