Substance use among high school-going adolescents, Northern Region, Ghana

Abstract

Background: Substance use among adolescents in Ghana remains underreported despite its consequences.There is limited information on the prevalence of alcohol, cigarette, and other drug use among adolescents in the northern region of Ghana.Objective: This study assessed adolescent substance use in nine senior high schools in the Northern Region of Ghana to inform evidencebased decision-making. Methods:We conducted a school-based cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence of substance use and the factors that influence its occurrence among randomly sampled adolescents in the Northern region of Ghana.A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on their background characteristics and use of substances.Binary logistic regression was used to determine the association between substance use and adolescents' characteristics at the 5% significance level.Results: Of the 403 adolescents studied from nine senior high schools, the average age was 17.7 years (SD = 1.01), with 52.9% (n = 213) being male.The lifetime use of any substance was 62.3% [95% CI: 57.35 -67.03].Smoking status, alcohol intake, and illicit drug use were 6.2% (n = 25/403), 5.0% (n = 20/403), and 62.3% (n = 251/403), respectively.Substance use by peers (aOR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.16 -3.68), sexual activity (aOR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.08 -3.03), sexual relationships (aOR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.03-2.69),social media use (aOR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.36 -3.36), and smartphone use (aOR = 2.89, 95% CI: 1.65 -5.07) were significantly associated with substance use. Conclusion:This study revealed an alarming rate of substance use among adolescents in the Northern Region.Peer use of drugs, sexual activity, sexual relationships, and use of smartphones and social media were factors identified to influence substance use.The research team organised educational and sensitisation programmes for the selected high schools.The findings could influence the development or enhancement of school policies related to substance use prevention, detection, and disciplinary actions by the Ghana Education Service (GES).