Citation

Mekonen T, Fekadu W, Mekonnen TC, Workie SB. Psychiatry J. 2017; 2017: e7517450.

Affiliation

School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences and Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Hindawi Publishing)

DOI

10.1155/2017/7517450

PMID

28680879

PMCID

PMC5478866

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Substance use is a growing concern globally and its association with students' academic performance is not well studied.

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to assess the prevalence of substance use (alcohol, tobacco, and khat) and its association with academic performance among university students.

METHODS: Cross-sectional study was conducted among Wolaita Sodo University students. A total of 747 students were selected by using cluster sampling technique. Data were collected by pretested self-administered questionnaire and examined using descriptive statistics and linear regression with 95% confidence intervals. Variables with p value of less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant.

RESULT: Prevalence of substance use (alcohol, tobacco, and khat) was 28.6%. Substance use (current smoking, chewing khat at least weekly, drinking alcohol on a daily basis, and having intimate friend who uses substance) was significantly and negatively associated with students' academic performance.

CONCLUSION: Substance use among Wolaita Sodo University students was as common as other studies in Sub-Saharan countries and negatively associated with students' academic achievement. The common practice of substance use and its association with poor academic performance demand the universities to have a good control of substance and to implement youth friendly activities.

Language: en