Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Correlates of Substance Use Among Patients Attending the drug Unit of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Correlates of Substance Use Among Patients Study: This study investigated the prevalence and socio-demographic characteristics of substance use among on following ethical clearance using a descriptive retrospective study of data was the Results: A total of 104 patients were registered for treatment at the the studied. Results revealed that 42.3% (43 males, 1 female) used cannabis, alcohol was 13.5% males, no female), tobacco 11.5% (12 males, no female), opioids 9.62% (8 males, 2 females), tramadol 7.69% (6 males, 2 females), cocaine 4.81% (5 males, no female), codeine 3.85% (4 males, no female) , pentazocine 2.88% (2 males, 1 female), cracked cocaine 1.98% (2males, no female), while 0.96% (2 males, no female) used sedative hypnotics and hallucinogens. Majority of the subjects were males 98 (94.2%), singles 93 (89.4%), and had tertiary education 73 (75.0%). Conclusion: The study concluded that there is a substantial prevalence of substance use, and that it is mostly among single males in tertiary institutions.


Introduction
According to the World Health Organization [1], substance use refers to the use of any psychoactive substances or drugs, which include licit and illicit drugs, other than which are medically indicated. The United Nations Organizations on Drug Council [2] stated that substance use is a major public health problem all over the world. In 2011, it was estimated that 167 to 315 million people aged 15 to 64 years globally had used an illicit substance in the preceding year [3]. The estimated global burden of alcohol and illicit drugs use is 5.4% while tobacco is 3.7% [4]. Psychoactive substance use poses a threat to the health, social and economic fabric of families, communities and nations [5]. Drug dependence is a growing public health problem and consequences of drug dependence cost the community heavily [6]. This habit not only affects health, education and occupational career, but it also incurs a huge financial and social burden on the society.
A national survey of substance use conducted among 10,609 Nigerians aged 15-64 years in the six geopolitical zones of the country recorded a lifetime prevalence of 39% for alcohol, 6.6% for cannabis and 12.2% for cigarettes [7]. In Nigeria, the most common types of used substances include stimulants and amphetamines such as caffeine, tobacco, nicotine, ephedrine; hallucinogens such as marijuana and narcotics such as heroine and codeine. Others include alcohol and sedatives [8]. These substances are largely used due to the belief that they relieve stress and anxiety, and some of them induce sleep, ease tension, cause relaxation or help users to forget their problems. The consequences of their abuse could result in physical dependence [8].
The United Nations Organizations on Drug Council [2] submitted that prevalence of any drug use in Nigeria is estimated Despite the highly reported consequences of substance use, in different parts of the world including Nigeria, a good number of individuals' reports being addicted to specific drugs and presents at healthcare facilities for medical assistance [4]. In fact, in

Study Design
Descriptive retrospective design was used in this study.

Study Subjects
The target population consisted of all adult males and females on drug rehabilitation in University of Port Harcourt Teaching. Only subjects who been on drug rehabilitation for a minimum period of six months and were willing to participate were included in the study. The study was conducted from January 2018 to February 2020. A sample size of 104 subjects was selected using the purposive sampling technique. Sample size determination was done using sample size determination formula by Cochran as shown below:

Data Collection
The Nigerian Epidemiological Network on Drug use for drug patients who attended UPTH treatment facility from January 2018 to February 2020 were retrieved and used in the study following ethical clearance.

Data Analysis
Analysis of data was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20. Table 1 shows that majority of the respondents were males, 94.2%, had tertiary education, 75.0% and were single, 89.4%. Table 2 shows that sex of individuals influences their substance use behaviour, as majority of the respondents that uses substances/ drugs were males (P<0.05). Table 3 shows that marital status of individuals influences their substance use behaviour, as majority of the respondents that uses substances/drugs were singles (P<0.05). Table 4 shows that educational status of individuals influence their substance use behaviour, as majority of the respondents that uses substances/drugs had tertiary education (P<0.05).

Conclusion
In conclusion, there is a high prevalence of drug use in the society; cannabis and alcohol are the most substances of use/ misuse. There is a significant relationship between socialdemographic characteristics of individuals and their potential to use substances as sex, marital and educational status of individuals influences the extent to which they use drugs and related items. A substantial proportion of the subjects that use substances/drugs were males' singles and had tertiary education.

Focused management of substance use disorders in healthcare
facilities is also recommended.

5.
Individuals on drug rehabilitation should be provided with adequate social and related support.