Psychosocial Factors Associated with Initiation and Continuation of Substance Abuse among Preparatory Students in Addis Ababa

Abstract Background Substance abuse is the use of illicit drugs or the abuse of prescription or over the Counter drugs for the purpose other than those for which they are indicated or in a manner or in quantities other than directed. Substance abuse is an emerging public health problem in Ethiopia, like other African countries. Methods School based cross-sectional survey was employed. A total of 326 students were randomly selected from one government and two private schools. The 296 Sample size was calculated using the formula of a single population proportion and calculated using software Epi-info stat calculation by taking 31% proportion from previous study with confidence level of 95% and 5% degree of precision. Non-response rate in this study was estimated to be 10% (30). We use self-administer questionnaire to assess the physiological factors associated with initiation and continuation of substance abuse. Results The magnitude and the prevalence of substance abuse were 24.8% and the commonly abused were alcohol (30.8%), kchat (15.4%) and cigarette (11%). Other substances are rarely abused. The study also showed that male students were abused substance [OR, 95% CI: 3.150 (1.451, 8.685)] three times higher than that of females. In addition those who abused substances through peer pressure or [OR, 95% CI: 7.599 (4.571, 16.174)] were eight times more likely to abuse substances in contrast with those who did not. Other psychosocial factors: curiosity, poor family relationship and stress were positively associated with substance abuse. Conclusion substance abuse is a threat problem to the public as well as to the preparatory students of Addis Ababa; it is strong positively associated with various variables such as male students, peer pressure, curiosity, poor family relationship and stress of students. Peer pressure was the major precipitating factor for substance abuse followed by curiosity. The most commonly abused substances were alcohol, khat and cigarette. Yet, the magnitude of factors for substance abuse is high. From this, it can be generally said that substance abuse is a pressing issue for preparatory students.