Unconventional Substance Use among Young People in Urban Lagos and the Implications for Sexual and Reproductive Health

Abstract

Previous studies have examined conventional substance use among young people but little is known about unconventional substance use in this population. Hence, this study sought to explore unconventional substance use among young people in urban Lagos and the implications for sexual and reproductive health (SRH). The study employed cluster sampling strategy in administering 1200 copies of a structured questionnaire among in-school and out-of-school young people (10-24 years old) across selected areas in urban Lagos. Results indicated that the social environment of young people influenced their involvement in unconventional substance use (p<0.05) in the study setting. Older young people, those out-of-school, exposure to unconventional substance use through peers, through television and those less religious were more likely to report ever use of any unconventional substance. Tramadol, cough syrup, and rohypnol were the most popular unconventional substances ever used among both male and female respondents. Also, while young females who used various unconventional substances were vulnerable to STIs owing to poor preventive behaviour, multiple sexual partnership was rampant among their male counterparts though rich preventive culture prevailed among them. Thus, unconventional drug use among young people has a strong probability of increasing health burden through risky SRH in the study setting.