Prevalence of substance use and associated factors among secondary school adolescents in Kilimanjaro region, northern Tanzania

Abstract

Background Substance use among school-going adolescents increases the risk of developing mental disorders, addiction, and substance use disorders. These may lead to poor academic performance and reduced productivity, which affects adolescent lives. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of substance use and associated factors among secondary school adolescents in the Kilimanjaro region, northern Tanzania. Methodology The study used secondary data from a cross-sectional survey of adolescents aged 10–19 years from public secondary schools in the Kilimanjaro Region, northern Tanzania. Substance use was measured using the Global School Health Survey (GSHS) questionnaire. Categorical variables were summarized using frequencies and percentages, while numerical variables used mean and standard deviation. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to obtain odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to determine risk factors associated with lifetime and current (within the past 30 days preceding the survey) substance use. Results The lifetime and current prevalence of substance use among 3224 adolescents was 19.7% and 12.8%, respectively, while alcohol and cigarettes were commonly used. Female adolescents had lower odds of current substance use (OR = 0.63, 95%CI 0.50–0.80). Higher odds of current substance use were among adolescents who have ever had sex (OR = 4.31, 95%CI 3.25–5.71), ever engaged in a physical fight (OR = 2.19, 95%CI 1.73–2.78), ever been bullied (OR = 1.55, 95%CI 1.16–2.05), always seen alcohol advertisements (OR = 1.87, 95%CI 1.37–2.53), and adolescents whose parent/guardians rarely understood their problems (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.03–1.85). Adolescents whose classmates always showed social support had lower odds of current substance use (AOR = 0.71, 95%CI 0.53–0.97). Similar factors were associated with lifetime substance users. Conclusion The study reflects a high prevalence of substance use among adolescents in the Kilimanjaro region. Alcohol and cigarette are the most prevalent substances used. Regulatory measures are essential to limit alcohol advertisements that are media portrayed. Efforts are needed to reduce risk behaviors, such as physical violence and bullying, through peer support groups/clubs in school environments.

Breaking the silence: navigating adolescent knowledge, attitude, and perception on substance abuse in Diyala Province, Iraq

“…The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (2023) reported that in 2022, cannabis use among the EU population aged 15 to 34 was 15.1% (15.3 million), with males being twice as likely as females to report use [19]. Mavura et al discovered a 12.8% prevalence of substance use among Tanzanian adolescents, with reported use of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana [20]. Haddad et al [21] found Jordanian students to be knowledgeable about substance abuse's harmful effects on the body and society, though lacking in-depth knowledge [21].…”

Prevalence of Substance Use Disorders During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study in Kanyama Township of Lusaka District, Zambia

“…Despite measures to control substance abuse being put in place, these vices remain highly prevalent, especially among adolescents and youths [49,74,[76][77][78][79]. These substances have been reported to cause mental health problems to abusers in previous studies [21,33,80,81].…”

Untitled

“…A study in Nepal reported increased abuse of alcohol, cigarettes, and illegal drugs among medical students [72]. Similarly, a Tanzanian study also reported high abuse of alcohol and cigarettes among secondary school adolescents [74]. In Nigeria, a study found that codeine-containing products, tramadol, alcohol, and cannabis were highly abused by adolescents and youths due to emotional, economic, and societal problems [75].…”