MONITORING TRENDS IN SUBSTANCE USE THROUGH A REPEAT CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY IN A NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY

This report gives recent information on the trends in substance use in a group of university students in Nigeria. The data was derived from two cross-sectional surveys conducted in 1988 and 1993 in a representa tive sample of undergraduates of University of Ilorin, Nigeria. The st udy population involved 10% of the total student enrolment (649 in 198 8 and 859 in 1993) randomly selected to complete a 117-item student su bstance-use questionnaire. The findings show that in 1993, there was a significant reduction in the current use of alcohol, cigarettes and s alicylate analgesics, and in the lifetime use of alcohol, cigarettes, salicylate analgesics, stimulants and hypnosedatives. This reduction a ffected both sexes almost equally. However, a significant increase was recorded for the current non-medical use of antibiotics, and in the l ifetime use of organic solvents. Usage rates were stable for the low-u se substances such as cannabis, cocaine and heroin. The pattern of use of the commonly used substances remained largely 'occasional', with a shift towards less frequent smoking in 1993. Drinking and smoking rem ained predominantly a male activity in both phases. It is believed tha t the prevailing harsh economic conditions which limit access to the s ubstance may contribute to the observed trends.