Substance Use and Associated Factors among University Students in Ethiopia : A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract EN

Studies indicate that substance use among Ethiopian adolescents is considerably rising; in particular college and university students are the most at risk of substance use.

The aim of the study was to assess substance use and associated factors among university students.

A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 1040 Haramaya University students using self-administered structured questionnaire.

Multistage sampling technique was used to select students.

Descriptive statistics, bivariate, and multivariate analysis were done.

About two-thirds (62.4%) of the participants used at least one substance.

The most commonly used substance was alcohol (50.2%).

Being male had strong association with substance use (AOR (95% CI), 3.11 (2.20, 4.40)).

The odds of substance use behaviour is higher among third year students (AOR (95% CI), 1.48 (1.01, 2.16)).

Being a follower of Muslim (AOR (95% CI), 0.62 (0.44, 0.87)) and Protestant (AOR (95% CI), 0.25 (0.17, 0.36)) religions was shown to be protective of substance use.

Married (AOR (95% CI), 1.92 (1.12, 3.30)) and depressed (AOR (95% CI), 3.30 (2.31, 4.72)) students were more likely to use substances than others.

The magnitude of substance use was high.

This demands special attention, emergency preventive measures, and targeted information, education and communication activity.