DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF OUT-OF-SCHOOL ADOLESCENT SUBSTANCE ABUSERS IN ABA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ABIA STATE

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to determine the demographic characteristics of out-of-school adolescent substance abusers in Aba South L.G.A, Abia State. To achieve this purpose, eight research questions were formulated and null hypotheses postulated and tested for significance of .05 level. Quantitative data were collected from 343 out-of-school adolescent substance abusers. The data collected were analyzed using frequency distribution percentages and means to answer the research questions while chi-square, ANOVA and t-Test was used to test the hypotheses. Results of the study revealed that majority of out-of-school adolescents took panadol, beer, coffee and one-third indicated they took white gin, cigarette, cocaine, heron, snoff, opion, glue and paint. Out-of-school adolescents abused substance to some extent ( = 2.0). Also, results indicated that majority of male out-of-school adolescents consumed substance more than their female counterparts. The adolescents with no formal education, primary and secondary education consumed substance more than the adolescents with tertiary education. Furthermore, the result showed that prevalence of substance abuse was higher in out-of-school adolescent conductors, drivers and hawkers than in adolescent apprentices, traders and civil servants respectively. In reference to differentials in substance abuse of out-of-school adolescents no significant difference was found based on occupation. However, a significant difference was found in substance abuse of out-of-school adolescents based on gender, age, educational level and religion affiliation. Based on the findings, conclusions were drawn and it was recommended among others that parents and health educators should work in collaboration with the ministries of health and education to educate the children and adolescents about drug use, abuse and its effects.