Introduction:
The use of cigarettes, alcohol, khat, and other substances is a worldwide threat which especially
affects young people and which is also common among the youth of Ethiopia. However, its prevalence and
associated factors have not been addressed well yet. Thus, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated
factors of substance use among preparatory school students in Bale Zone, Oromia Regional State, Southeast
Ethiopia.
Methods:
An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 603 randomly selected students from
five of eight preparatory schools of Bale Zone, Oromia Regional State, Southeast Ethiopia, in March 2013. The
sample size was calculated by a single population proportion formula and allocated proportionally for the schools
based on the number of students. A pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data were
analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regressions were employed to
identify the predictors of substance use.
Result:
The overall current prevalence of substance use among the respondents was 34.8% (210). Specifically, 23.6%
(102) and 4.6% (28) of the respondents chewed khat and smoked cigarette, respectively. Sex, age, and substance
use status of the respondents
’
father, mother, siblings, and best friend had an association with substance use. Male
respondents were about ten times more at risk of practicing substance use compared to female respondents
[adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 11.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.42
–
29.23]. Respondents whose sibling(s) smokes
cigarette were four times more likely to use substance (AOR 4.44, 95% CI 1.11
–
17.79). Respondents whose best
friend chews khat were 11 times more likely to use substance when compared with those whose best friend does
not practice the given factor (AOR 11.15, 95% CI 4.43
–
28.07).
Conclusion:
Respondents whose family uses one or more substances were more likely use substance(s). Respondents
whose best friend uses substance(s) were more prone to practice substance use. Fifteen years of age of the
respondents was the critical age when they began to practice substance use. Sex and family of the respondents were
the predicting factors for them to practice substance use or not. Hence, health extension workers and district health
workers should tackle substance use of the respondents through focusing the identified factors.