Abstract
Abstract:

Background: The use of gateway substances by adolescents often precedes the use of harder substances.

Aims: This study aims to determine the prevalence of gateway substance use, the age at first use, and the associated factors.

Methods: A questionnaire, consisting of sociodemographic variables and sections on alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and stimulant use from the World Health Organization Questionnaire for Student Drug Use Surveys, was administered to secondary school students in Benin City.

Results: The current prevalence rates of substance use were 29.0% for alcohol, 22.8% for caffeine, 3.9% for tobacco, and 1.5% for cannabis. Past year usage rates were 41.9%, 30.3%, 6.0%, and 1.9%, while lifetime rates were 55.9%, 46.7%, 9.2%, and 2.6%, respectively. The majority of students reported initiating gateway substance use before the age of 15 years. Factors that significantly differentiated tobacco users from non-users included age, sex, family type, having a friend at school or a family member who uses tobacco, and dissatisfaction with relationships with teachers.

Conclusion: Control programs must target schools and families to effectively address substance use among adolescents.

Keywords: gateway substances, adolescents, substance use, prevalence, Nigeria

Key words: Key words: Gateway substances, a d o l e s c e n t s, p r e v a l e n c e, sociodemographic characteristics