DETERMINANTS OF SUBSTANCE USE AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN NYARUGENGE DISTRICT, RWANDA

The use of various drug substances, such as cigarettes, illicit drugs, alcohol, and more, over the course of a person's life, is a growing concern on a global scale. Research indicates an increasing concern of alcohol and illicit drug abuse in Africa, with particular attention to the situation in Rwanda. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the prevalence and determinants of substance use among secondary school students in Nyarugenge District. The research was guided by two specific objectives including: firstly, to determine the prevalence of substance use among studentsand to identify the determinants of substanceuse among studentsin secondary schools in Nyarugenge District. This study offers key insights for schools, parents, policymakers, and healthcare providers to address substance use among students, while also serving as a foundation for future research and community programs. For this study, the research adopted a cross-sectional quantitative approach, focusing on students within two carefully selected secondary schools in Nyarugenge District, specifically Lycee de Kigali, and College de Saint Andre. A sample size of 340 participants was selected from the broader population pool of 2280 individuals, following Taro Yamane’s formula for sample size determination and using stratified sampling technique.Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire mainly composed by the Global School-based Health Survey (GSHS). Collected data was analyzed using SPSSversion 25.Descriptive analysis was conducted to determine the prevalence of substance use, bivariate analysis was performed to examine the relationship between determinants and substance use, and multivariate analysis was performed to identify the adjusted association with substance use while controlling for confounding factors. The findings revealed that 27.4% of students reported using substances, with male students and those in Senior 5 grades exhibiting higher usage rates. Several determinants significantly influenced substance use, including peer interactions, family dynamics, and access to technology. Students who spent more time with friends on weekends and had friends offering substances were more likely to engage in substance use, with odds ratios of 1.85 and 3.30, respectively. Family substance use also increased the likelihood of student substance use (AOR = 2.10). Moreover, access to smartphones, internet, and social media amplified the risk of substance use, with social media exposure showing the strongest association (AOR = 2.45). Financial factors, such as receiving pocket money, were also linked to higher substance use, with students who did not receive pocket money being more likely to use substances (AOR = 1.75). The absence of substance use education and inconsistent parental supervision were additional significant risk factors.