THE INCIDENCE AND PSYCHO-SOCIAL EFFECTS OF THE USAGE OF PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCE USE AMONG UNDERGRADUATES’ STUDENT IN BENSON IDAHOSA UNIVERSITY, BENIN CITY

Abstract

Psychoactive substance use among university students has become a growing public health concern globally, with significant physical, psychological, and social implications. This study assessed the incidence, psycho-social effects, influencing factors, and preventive strategies of psychoactive substance use among undergraduate students of Benson Idahosa University, Benin City. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Stratified random sampling was used to select 341 participants across various faculties and levels of study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, of which 333 copies were properly filled and valid for analysis, yielding a 97.7% response rate. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0, employing descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, and means. A chi-square test was used to test the hypothesis at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that 41.4% of respondents had used psychoactive substances at least once, with 64.5% of these being current users. Alcohol (34.8%) was the most commonly used substance, followed by cigarettes (15.6%) and cannabis (11.4%). The major factors influencing substance use were peer pressure, curiosity, academic stress, and emotional challenges. The perceived psycho-social effects included poor academic performance, impaired concentration, emotional instability, and strained interpersonal relationships, with a grand mean of 2.9, indicating noticeable negative effects. Although preventive strategies such as religious instruction and disciplinary measures were considered effective (grand mean = 2.7), peer counselling and health screening were poorly implemented. The hypothesis testing showed no significant relationship between incidence and perceived psycho-social effects (χ² = 8.786, p = 0.074). The study concludes that psychoactive substance use is prevalent among undergraduates and is associated with adverse psycho-social consequences despite students’ awareness of the risks. The study recommends enhanced health education, stronger peer support systems, effective counselling services, strict enforcement of university policies, and increased involvement of nurses and parents in preventive efforts to reduce substance use among students. Keywords: Incidence, Psycho-social effects, Usage, psychoactive substance use, undergraduates’ student.