Marijuana smoking among secondary school students in Zaria, Nigeria: Factors responsible and effects on academic performance

Abstract

Background:The use of Marijuana is on the increase worldwide especially among adolescents and youths. Marijuana smoking has gained a foothold in our environment because of peer group influence, accessibility and availability. Its medico-social effects could ruin the life and future of our youths. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and the factors that influence secondary school students in Zaria LGA to smoke and the effects on academic performance. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was employed to generate data among secondary school students. A multi-stage sampling technique was used. Data was collected with the use of a structured, pre tested self-administered questionnaire.  2 test was used to test for significance of association between categorical variables. Results: Of the 350 respondents, 262 (74.9%) were males, while 88 (25.1%) were females. The study shows that 33 of the students smoke marijuana giving a prevalence of 9.4%. There were more smokers in the age group 15-19 years (54.6%). Other factors that influence marijuana smoking include family background, peer pressure and attendance of social functions. There was better academic performance (51.1%) among non smokers as compared to smokers (27.2%), and this was found to be statistically significant (x 2 = 11.73,df = 5,P < .05) There was also statistically significant association between age and marijuana smoking (x 2 = 24,df = 2,P < .05) Conclusion: The prevalence of marijuana smoking is high. Age, family background, peer pressure and attendance of social function influence marijuana smoking. A comprehensive school health education program should be instituted to curtail this menace. Key words: Marijuana smoking, prevalence, influencing factorsRésume Contexte: L'utilisation de la marijuana est en augmentation dans le monde entier particulièrement parmi des adolescents et des jeunesses. Le tabagisme de marijuana a gagné un équilibre dans notre environnement en raison de l'influence, de l'accessibilité et de la disponibilité de groupe de pair. Ses effets médico-sociaux ont pu ruiner la vie et le futur de nos jeunesses. Cette étude a été entreprise pour déterminer la prédominance et les facteurs qui influencent des étudiants d'école secondaire dans Zaria LGA pour fumer et les effets sur l'exécution d'universitaire. Méthodes: Une étude descriptive en coupe a été utilisée pour produire des données parmi des étudiants d'école secondaire. Une technique d'échantillonnage à plusieurs étages a été employée. Des données ont été rassemblées avec l'utilisation d'un questionnaire self-administered structuré et pré examiné. l'essai de Chi-place a été employé pour déterminer la signification de l'association entre les variables catégoriques.Marijuana smoking among secondary school students in Nigeria. Shehu A. U. and Idris S. H. Page | 176Résultats: Des 350 répondants, 262 (74.9%) étaient des mâles, alors que 88 (25.1%) étaient des femelles. L'étude prouve que 33 des étudiants fument la marijuana donnant une prédominance de 9.4...

Psychoactive Substance Use Among Young Offenders in a Nigerian Correctional Facility: A Comparative Analysis

“…For instance, they noted while 1.0% of 11 year olds had used cannabis in the last year, about 31.0% of 15 year olds had done so. Local studies have also shown similar trends in cannabis use among adolescent students (Shehu & Idris, 2008;Igwe et al, 2009). This trend has also been observed with alcohol use (Makanjuola et al, 2007;Gureje et al, Downloaded by [New York University] at 15:25 02 July 2015 2007).…”

Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours on tobacco, alcohol and other drugs among Nigerian secondary school students: Differences by geopolitical zones

“…Moreover, while several Nigerian studies have described parental and friends 0 influence on adolescent substance use [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21], few have investigated personal risk factors (e.g. knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs) and none have investigated risk perceptions and skills.…”

“…knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs) and none have investigated risk perceptions and skills. To date, most studies on personal risk factors have focused on cigarette smoking [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][21][22][23][24] but very few have investigated correlates of alcohol [25][26][27] and illicit drugs use [20,26,28]. Since all these factors can be related to the risk of initiation and can be modified by specific prevention interventions, it is important to identify which areas deserve health promotion interventions targeting adolescents in Nigeria.…”

Modelling Marijuana Smoking Epidemics among Adults: An Optimal Control Panacea

“…The prevalence of marijuana smoking among Nigerian youth is about 9.4% [23] while the prevalence in the entire population is 5.0% [22]. However, the prevalence of Marijuana smoking among adults in Nigeria varies from one location to another.…”

“…However, the prevalence of Marijuana smoking among adults in Nigeria varies from one location to another. The prevalence could be as high as 26% in places like Port-Harcourt , Rivers state [23]; it may be as low as 5% in places like Ilorin, Kwara state [22]; while it is relatively moderate in places like Zaria, Kaduna state with a prevalence rate of 9.4% [23]. Here, we assume that the prevalence of Marijuana smoking among Nigerian adults is about 10%.…”