Tobacco use, alcohol consumption and illicit drug use among school going adolescents in Zambia: results from Kalulushi district.

Introduction: Substance use is a global public health problem affecting adolescents and young adults especially in developing countries (Gotsang etal, 2017). Globally, 450,000 people died as a result of substance use, of those deaths, 167,750 were directly associated with drug use disorders mainly overdose (World Health Organization WHO, 2016). The problem negatively impacts the socio-economic, psychological, and physiological wellbeing of the abusers, their
families and community at large. This study used a cross sectional study design to assess the prevalence and predictors of Tobacco smoking, alcohol use and illicit drug use among secondary school going adolescents from Kalulushi district. Methods: The Target population was 2000, out these, 333 school going adolescents from grade 8 to 12 were selected using random sampling. Adolescents below 18 years whose parents/guardians consented to participate in the study were included. Modified World Health Organization student drug survey was used to measure Tobacco and illicit drug use (Yes/No). Alcohol was measured by the Alcohol use and Dependency Inventory Tool (AUDIT-C) (Saunders, 1993). Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and logistic regression models were used to determine associations/predictors of Tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption and illicit drug use among school going adolescents Results: Prevalence of alcohol use was 75.1 percent, illicit drug use 71.2 percent and Tobacco smoking 52 percent respectively. In multivariable analysis factors significantly associated with alcohol consumption were, males had increased odds of drinking than girls (OR=1.15, CI=0.60,2.22),adolescents living with single parents were more likely to drink than those living with both parents (OR=10.35,CI=4.81,22.27). Factors significantly associated with smoking were: introducer to smoking (OR=1.94, CI=1.07, 3.53). Factors associated with illicit drug use were adolescents at Chavuma secondary school had reduced odds of using drugs than those at Kalulushi secondary (OR=0.35,CI=0.22,0.62). Conclusion: Our study underscores the high prevalence of substance use among secondary school going adolescents and recommend intersectoral collaboration between the Ministry of
health, Education, Parents, Community members, church, pharmaceutical Bodies to intensify ant-substance use measures and equip adolescents in self-awareness skills to cope with stress.