PSYCHOSOCIAL CORRELATES OF SUBSTANCE USE AMONG UNDERGRADUATES IN ILORIN-UNIVERSITY, NIGERIA

The consistency of psychosocial correlates of alcohol, cigarettes and cannabis use was evaluated among undergraduates of a Nigerian Universi ty, The correlates were derived from repeat cross-sectional surveys co nducted in 1988 and 1993, when 649 and 859 respondents respectively co mpleted a standardised WHO substance-use questionnaire, Information pr ovided on substance use patterns were correlated with socio-demographi c variables, familial and best friend's usage, perceived availability and perceived harmfulness, Consistency was found in the significant co rrelations between the following: (i) lack of religiosity and the use of the three substances; (ii) drinking and the presence of study diffi culty, strained relationship with teachers and belonging to the Christ ian religion; (iii) smoking and the male gender, and self-reported poo r mental health; (iv) cannabis use and belonging to the older age grou p; (v) respondents' use of the substances and use in the peer group, s iblings, and parents in that order; (vi) perception of substance as ha rmful and low use rates; (vii) perception of easy availability and hig h use rates, Some correlates were inconsistent, while some new ones em erged, The significance of the correlates in terms of packaging interv ention programmes is discussed, against the background of the inherent limitations of the study design.