Abstract

Recreational Drug consumption has been a major public health concern over the years. Although some of these drugs like cocaine, marijuana and heroin have been banned, they are still being consumed clandestinely. These drugs which include alcohol, shisha, cigarette and marijuana have been consumed by people of all age groups in all countries of the world over the years. Given that youths are the highest consumers of recreational drugs, and they play an important role in Nation building, it is therefore essential to assess the knowledge, perceptions, practice, prevalence as well as factors associated with recreational drug use among high school students in Fako Division and formulate recommendations to stop this consumption and improve life expectancy.

A cross-sectional study was carried out from the months of January to April 2022 at several secondary schools in Limbe and Buea (Fako Division). A total of 410 participants of both sexes aged 15-25 years were selected. Their socio demographic characteristics, knowledge, perception and practice on recreational drug use were obtained using a structured questionnaire. A purposive sampling technique was used to select eight high schools from Buea and Limbe and a systematic sampling method with probability proportionate to size was employed in selecting the students to meet up with the sample size of 410.

Out of the 410 students who participated in the study, 289 (70.5%) were females and 121 (29.5%) were males. Their ages ranged from 15-25 years and the mean age was 17.5 years. Of the 410 students, 239 (58.29%) of them had inadequate knowledge on recreational drugs, 369 (92.6%) had a positive perception towards its consumption. With regards to practice, 283 (69%) of the 410 students had consumed at least one recreational drug in their lifetime. The prevalence of recreational drug consumption was higher in males than in females. Concerning factors associated with recreational drug use, it was found that females were 0.01 times less likely to use recreational drugs than males. Also students who lived with single parents were more likely to have consumed recreational drugs than those living with both parents.

This study showed inadequate knowledge, positive perception, high practice and higher prevalence in males with regards to consumption of recreational drugs like alcohol and shisha. Being male and living with single parents are risk factors associated with recreational drug consumption. It is therefore recommended that competent authorities need to take necessary measures to intensify the fight against recreational drug consumption in secondary schools.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Recreational drugs are addictive drugs that are sporadically taken for their psychoactive nature by users [2]. They are chemical substances taken for enjoyment or leisure purposes, rather than for medical reasons and are dangerous when abused. Examples include alcohol, tobacco, shisha, cannabis and caffeine just to name a few.

Although these psychoactive drugs usually provide pleasure, or improve life, they may however lead to addiction, health and social problems or even crime [7]. That notwithstanding, the following reasons have been put up for the incessant consumption of recreational drugs; Peer pressure, depression, entertainment, among others. Recreational drugs exist in four categories; analgesics, depressants, stimulants and hallucinogens.

A study in India revealed that an estimated 183,000 drug related deaths were reported globally in 2012 among the population aged 15-65 years. This estimate is lower than that in 2011 owing to the fact that   lower number of deaths was recorded in a few countries in Asia.

About 162 million to 324million of the world’s population aged 15-65 were reported to have consumed illicit drugs in 2012. In 2013, an estimated 24.6 (9.4 %) million Americans aged 12 or older were recreational drug users. They either consumed hashish, cocaine, hallucinogens or psychotherapeutics which was used non-medically. This is similar to rates in 2010 (8.9 %) and 2012 (9.2 %) but was higher than the rates in 2002 to 2009 and in 2011 (ranging from 7.9 to 8.7 percent).

In 2013, the rate of current use of illicit drugs among young adults aged 18 to 25 (21.5 %) was similar to the rates in 2009 to 2012 (ranging from 21.3 to 21.6 %).Globally, UNODC estimates that between 155 and 250 million people (3.5% to 5.7%) of people aged 15-64, have used illicit substances at least once in a year, with cannabis users comprising the largest population of consumers (129-190 million people). UNODC’s work on drug and health is inextricably linked to multiple targets of Sustainable Development Goal 3 which is to Ensure Healthy Lives and Promote Well Being for All at All ages [3].

A study on recreational drug use consumption in Nigeria among 2 Universities revealed that over 24% of the students consumed recreational drugs with the vast majority being males [4]. Another study in secondary schools in Nigeria showed that students were not aware of the danger associated with recreational drug consumption.

In Cameroon, according to The National Committee for the fight against Drugs, statistics on recreational drug consumption in the country revealed that 21% of Cameroonians have tried hard drugs with 10% of them frequent consumers most of whom are aged 20-25 years. And the main drugs demanded and consumed being tobacco (58.54%), tramadol (44.62%), and cocaine (12.4%) [9]

The tendency of abusing drugs is often said to begin at adolescence. The practice may then last a lifetime if not properly looked into. Young people are biologically wired and so they tend to be the highest consumers of recreational drugs as they seek to gain new experiences, and attain satisfaction [2]. Drugs may therefore meet these needs though with life-threatening consequences in the long run.

A knowledge, perception and practice survey is a quantitative method (predefined questions formatted in standardized questionnaires) that provides access to quantitative and qualitative information. This survey reveals misconceptions or misunderstandings that may represent obstacles to the activities that we would like to implement and potential barriers to behavior change. This survey essentially records an “opinion” and is based on the “declarative” (i.e. statements) [11]. Knowledge, perception and practice surveys can measure the extent of a known situation; confirm or disprove a hypothesis; provide new tangents of a situation’s reality. Enhance the knowledge, attitudes and practices of specific themes; identify what is known and done about various health-related subjects.

The use of recreational drugs is a continual legal, economic health issue which needs to be looked into. Most European countries have prohibited (non-prescription) the use of drugs under international conventions (UNODC, 2013), these convention treaties being directed at the manufacture, distribution and possession of these substances. Globally, UNODC estimates that between 155 and 250 million people (3.5% to 5.7%) of people aged 15-64, have used illicit substances at least once in a year, with cannabis users comprising the largest population of consumers (129-190 million people).

UNODC’s work on drug and health is inextricably linked to multiple targets of Sustainable Development Goal 3 which is to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages [26]. The National Committee for the fight against Drugs, statistics on recreational drug consumption in the country revealed that 21% of Cameroonians have tried hard drugs with 10% of them frequent consumers most of whom are aged 20-25 years. And the main drugs consumed being cannabis (tobacco), tramadol and cocaine.

1.2 Problem Statement

Recreational drug consumption is a serious Public Health problem that has continually been plaguing our society and is on a constant rise. What is even more appalling is the fact that children as young as 15 years tend to consume these drugs as well. They are either consumer of alcohol, cigarettes/tobacco, and shisha [2]. The consumption of recreational drugs may lead to adverse health issues that may last a lifetime. Consumers may suffer from cancers, nervous breakdown, and fertility issues.

This goes a long way to increase dependency ratio in the country hence a decrease in people’s living standards. What is more, the consumption of these drugs does not only affect the consumers but the society at large. While some people become caregivers to the affected (the case of drinking and marijuana), others, especially the young people become influenced by their peers into consuming these drugs.

Recreational drug use constitutes a political, economic and social problem in the society with far-reaching consequences as consumers become dependent on care givers and even become a social nuisance [6].

Alcohol and drug use also present a significant health problem as it leads to poor health outcomes and diminished production in all sectors of the economy, insecurity and non-attainment of National Development goals [7]. Recreational drug use problems are the single most predictive factor for adult drug dependency. Cameroon youths therefore face a high risk as they are targeted the most.

Very few studies have been carried out in Cameroon regarding the prevalence of recreational drug use. The few studies conducted have varying statistics indicating the difference in each context. The context of this work is to assess the knowledge, perception, and practice alongside the prevalence and associated risk factors of recreational drug use among students in Fako Division.

1.3 Research Questions

1. What is the knowledge of high school students about recreational drug use in Fako Division?
2. What are the perceptions of high school students toward recreational drug use in the Fako Division?
3. What are the practices of high school students about recreational drug use in the Fako Division?
4. What are the prevalence and factors associated with recreational drug use among high school students in the Fako Division?

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