Preliminary results of a national survey on substances use among secondary school students in Guinea, West Africa

• In Event: Poster Group 10
  In Poster Session: Preliminary results of a national survey on substances use among secondary school students in Guinea, West Africa

Proposal

Introduction: The use of psychoactive substances is a major problem in Africa and around the world. While communities in West Africa suffer from the psychosocial, economic and health consequences of drug use, the unavailability of reliable data to monitor the magnitude, patterns and trends of drug use is a major obstacle to prevention and demand reduction efforts in the region. The objective of the study was to estimate substances use and associated behavioral characteristics among secondary school students in Guinea.
Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in February and March 2023 using mobile phones with students from 14-17 years old. A multi-stage cluster sampling technique was applied to participants selected for the study. The sample was stratified by region and school type (public, private) and schools were randomly selected. Data collection was conducted. The sample size consisted of 4236 from 130 schools in 8 regions in Guinea.
Results: Data were collected for tobacco, alcohol, psychoactive substances, and non-medical use of pharmaceutical products. Results were analyzed lifetime use, use in the last 12 months, use in the last 30 days. Factors have been identified as being elements likely to expose students to a higher risk of initiation and use of psychoactive substances.
The lifetime prevalence of cigarette use was 12.98%. In the last 12 months, the prevalence of alcohol consumption was 6.52%. Nearly one in 20 participants (4.65%) smoked cigarettes at least once during the of the 30 days preceding the survey.
The lifetime prevalence of alcohol use was 15.77%. In the last 12 months, the prevalence of alcohol consumption was 8.57%. In the last 30 days, the prevalence of alcohol consumption was 4.79%.
Students consumed several psychoactive substances such as cannabis, cocaine, heroin, amphetamine but also non-medical use of pharmaceutical products such as Tramadol.
Discussion: This study is intended to contribute to knowledge aimed at improving drug demand reduction interventions among high school students and promoting better community health. The drug use school survey provides critical insight into drug use patterns adolescents. With the rapid pace of technology and the influence of social media, young people are connected to each other like never. They are agents of change, contributing to innovative solutions and the promotion of social progress. However, tobacco, alcohol and drug use limit young people's ability to contribute to society by promoting the development of sustainable development. In addition, it has been shown that consumption alcohol and drugs negatively affected sexual health and development, and reproductive of adolescents. Therefore, policies and interventions capable of to establish meaningful engagement with young people are provided in Guinea.

Author

• Anselme Simeon SANOU