Magnitude of substances use and associated factors among regular undergraduate students of private higher education institutions in Adama town, Oromia, Ethiopia

Background: Psychoactive substances are those substances which have various natural or synthetic compounds that act on the nervous system causing change in the function that regulate thoughts, behavior and emotions. Abuse of such substances involves increasing the risk of injuries, aggressions and the risk of unsafe sexual behaviors. The problem is even worse when it happens among young people such as students of higher educational institutions. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the magnitude of substance use and factors associated among regular undergraduate students of private higher education institutions from June 2018 up to August 2018 in Adama Town, Oromia, Ethiopia, Method: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted. Study participants (596) selected using systematic random sampling technique. Data collected using pre-tested selfadministered modified WHO Model core questionnaire. The collected data cleaned, coded and entered to Epi-Info 7.2 computer software and analyzed by SPSS version 21.Descriptive statistics used to summarize variables as appropriate. Binary logistic regression used to select variables for multivariable analysis. Result: A total of 596 students participated in the study. The response rate was 100%. Three hundred eighty nine (65.3%) participants were female, Four hundred seventy two (79.2%) were in the age group 18-24 years. Based on this study magnitude of substance use at least for one substance in the last 12 months among the study participants was 33.9% with 95%CI (29.9, 37.6), The most commonly used substance in descending order was Cigarette (7.0%), Khat (6.4%) and Alcohol (3.4%). Based on this study finding all substance use (Cigarette, Khat and Alcohol) together counted (17.1%). Female participation had high significance, family members using substance, believing substance use as good and knowing the risk of substance use also had significance. Based on this study associated factors for substance use showed that to increase work performance 10.2%, to minimize tension 9.7% and due to peer influence 8.7%. Pattern of substance use showed most of the participant’s use substance weekly 14.4%, monthly 7.7%, daily abusers 7.0% and other occasional users were 5.2%. Conclusion: This study showed magnitude 33.9% for at least one substance use for the past 12 months. Family history of students using substance had more significant. Showing the risk of Substance use among study subjects, the creation of awareness for family members and consistent health education should be continued to fully address the problem of using substance.