Factors associated with psychoactive substance use among Beninese adolescents

Introduction: Psychoactive substances use among adolescents is a serious public health problem, as it exposes them to risks and health hazards and can ultimately lead to dependence. The present study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with substance use in the Kpomasse Ouidah Tori-Bossito health area in Benin. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from 1st May to 15 July 2014 in 451 adolescents aged 10 to 19 years selected by the cluster sampling technique. Data were collected using a questionnaire about the adolescents' individual, family and socio-environmental factors. Associated factors were investigated by backward stepwise logistic regression. Results: Alcohol was the substance most commonly abused with a prevalence of 30.1%, followed by tobacco, with a prevalence of 21.7% and finally cannabis, cocaine or amphetamine with a prevalence of 13.9%. More than one in ten teenagers (16.6%) consumed two or three substances. Factors associated with alcohol misuse were male gender, the area of urban residence, being married, depression, search for pleasure, conflictual family relationships and having neighbours who drink alcohol. Significant risk factors for smoking were male gender, having a single parent or being an orphan, poor parental involvement in the child's education, smoking friends and neighbours. Cannabis, cocaine and amphetamine use was mostly associated with an urban residential environment, depression, conflictual family relationships and poor parental involvement in the child's education, drug use by the parents and illicit drug use by friends. Conclusion: These results show that psychoactive substance use is a public health problem in the Tori-Bossito Kpomasse Ouidah health area. Communication interventions for behaviour change, advocacy, and a better public understanding of the legislation on psychoactive substances should be conducted.