Title: Prevalence and Perception of Psychoactive Substance Use among Secondary School Students in Obio-Akpor L.G.A, Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Chinyere U. Iloesogbuna
Adebunmi O. Oyekola
Volume: 9
Issue: 11
Pages: 16-30
Publication Date: 2025/11/28
Abstract:
Psychoactive substance use (PSU), which is the intake of substances that affect mental processes through their action on the central nervous system, remains a significant public health challenge globally and in Sub-saharan Africa. This study aims to explore the prevalence and perceptions of PSU among secondary school students of Obio-Akpor L.G.A in Rivers State, Nigeria. The study adopted a mixed-method descriptive cross-sectional design. A sample of 561 secondary school students were randomly selected to complete a structured questionnaire. The findings reveal a 75.8% prevalence. Male students reported higher involvement in PSU than females, while perceptions of PSU were nearly evenly divided, with females more likely to hold negative views. In addition, a large proportion of the students reported initiating PSU at or before the age of ten. PSU positively correlated with perceived positive effects while correlation with negative effects was weak and non-significant. These results suggest that there is an urgent need for targeted, gender-sensitive preventive interventions and early education programs to address PSU among secondary school students. The findings can guide policymakers, educators, healthcare professionals, and community stakeholders to develop evidence-based interventions and gender-sensitive awareness programmes that address males' higher usage and challenge positive perceptions of drug use.