Substance use and associated factors among secondary school students in the Yaoundé III Subdivision, Cameroon

Abstract

Introduction: Psychoactive substance (PAS) is a substance that affects mental processes such as perception, consciousness, cognition or mood and feelings once introduced into a person ‘s system. PAS use is a global public health problem, especially among young people. More than 296 million people aged 15 to 64 years used PAS in 2021. The situation in Cameroon is marked by the poor existence of data, particularly about use in schools. The aim of the study was to assess the current situation of substance use in schools and to identify associated factors in Yaoundé. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among students in the Yaoundé III subdivision from May to June 2019 in 21 schools. Schools and students were selected using a multistage sampling approach. We collected data using a self-administered questionnaire. We grouped variables to be analysed into sociodemographic data, substance use, and associated factors of substance use. We performed multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify associated factors with PAS use. We defined lifetime PAS use as the consumption of licit and illicit PAS drugs, such as tobacco, alcohol, opioids, cannabis, and/or cocaine, ecstasy at least once in one’s lifetime. Results: A total of 1450 students participated in the study, for a response rate of 98%. The rate of substance use was 54% (774). Alcohol was the most consumed substance, at 77.3% (598), followed by tobacco at 10% (77) and tramadol at 7% (54). The others (cocaine, cannabis, heroin and glue) were the least consumed, 5.8% (45). Factors associated with substance use were male students (aOR=1.44; CI=1.09-1.90), ages between 20 to 24 years and 15 to 19 years (aORs of 3.41; CIs of 1.03-11.26 and aORs of 3.40; CIs of 1.09-10.65, respectively), living with other people (aOR: 1.52; CI: 1.06-2.19), the grade 11 class (aOR=2.31; CI=1.60-3.35; P-value = <0.001) and consumption of drugs in the neighborhood (aOR: 1.86; CI: 1.41-2.45;). Conclusion: More than 50% of students in Yaoundé III reported using PAS, mainly alcohol, tobacco, and tramadol. Strengthening school awareness, parental supervision, and enforcement of laws restricting access to these substances among minors is essential.