Substance abuse continues to be a social health challenge in Nigeria among youths, as there is arise in the number of those who engage in it. They are found to be between the ages of 10 and 24 years. In lieu of this, this study examines the perceived causes and effects of substance abuse among undergraduates at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso.A cross-sectional survey design was used for this study. A stratified sampling technique was used to select 251 undergraduates from 200L to 500L in different departments in the college of health sciences, LAUTECH namely: nursing, medicine, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology and medical laboratory science. The instrument used in the conduct of this study was a self-designed questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics(chi-square test) at 95% confidence level, and a P-value of <0.05 was considered significant. The result of this study showed that the level of awareness on substance abuse among respondents was high ( c` =3.37) and the sources of awareness were class lectures(78.9%), Seminars/Workshopsfriends(78.1%), Families (73.3%), television (77.7%). internet (88%) and religious/social gatherings (77%). Further findings revealed that Parental influence (59.3%), Peer pressure (99%), Availability of the illicit drug (85.2%,), To feel good (78.1%), Low grades (71%), Affordability (62.1%), Lack of moral and spiritual development activities on campus (65%) and Lack of punishment for offenders on campus (71.4%) were perceived causes of substance abuse among undergraduates. Lastly, the perceived effect of substance abuse among undergraduates includes downward performance in school (86.8%), aggressive behaviour (92.5%), poor physical coordination (92%), memory loss (79.7%), financial hardship (65.7%), poor relationship with people (78.5%), psychiatric problems (89.3%) and loss of ambitions (90%). Hypothesis was tested and findings revealed that there was a statistical association between the age and gender of the study participants with their level of awareness (X=32.718; P=0.000; X=7.354, P=0.007), Second hypothesis noted that there was no statistical association between their department and their level of awareness (X2=3.739, P=0.588). In Conclusion, measures need to be put in place to address the factors responsible for this menace
- Olarinde | Comfort | Oluwatosin | ocolarinde@gmaill.com | +2348105197649, Faleti | Daniel | Durodoluwa | faletidd@gmail.com | +447479327132, Faleti | Mojisola | Damilola | ajayidamilola34@gmai.com | +4447878896199
- Causes, effects, substance abuse, undergraduates, measures
- AWARENESS, PERCEIVED CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG UNDERGRADUATES AT COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES, LADOKE AKINTOLA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, OGBOMOSO
