Among 4,078 Nigerian secondary school students, having friends who use drugs, parental smoking, and low risk perception were the strongest predictors of cannabis and illicit drug use.
Public health researchers, African drug prevention program designers, and adolescent health specialists.
Friend drug use, parental smoking, and low risk perception were top predictors
What the researchers found
In a survey across all six Nigerian geopolitical zones, cannabis and illicit drug use among adolescents (mean age 14.7) was associated with older age, single-parent households, parental smoking, parental permissiveness to drink, having drug-using friends, low perceived risk of harm, and positive beliefs about drugs. Socioeconomic status predicted cannabis but not other drug use.
Why it matters
Cannabis use among African youth is growing but understudied. This is one of the few large-scale studies providing nationally representative data on risk factors for adolescent cannabis use in Nigeria.
The numbers in context
4,078 students; mean age 14.7; 32 schools; 6 geopolitical zones; key predictors: friend drug use, parental smoking, low risk perception, positive drug beliefs.
How the study worked
Cross-sectional survey of 4,078 secondary school adolescents from 32 schools across all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, using multilevel logistic regression models.
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional design; self-reported drug use in a context where it is illegal; school-based sample excludes out-of-school youth who may have higher use rates; specific substances within "illicit drugs" category not always distinguished.
How to read the evidence
Moderate: large nationally representative sample with multilevel analysis, but cross-sectional and self-reported.
When this study was published
Published 2020.
The bigger picture
The risk factors identified mirror those found in Western countries (peer influence, parental behavior, risk perception), suggesting universal prevention approaches may be adaptable across cultural contexts.
Questions still open
- Would culturally tailored prevention programs addressing these specific risk factors reduce cannabis uptake in Nigerian schools?
Common questions
What most strongly predicted adolescent cannabis use in Nigeria?
Are the risk factors different from Western countries?
Read the original research
Correlates of cannabis and other illicit drugs use among secondary school adolescents in Nigeria.
Drug and alcohol dependence, 206, 107457
Citation
Mehanović, Emina; Virk, Harsheth Kaur; Akanidomo, Ibanga; Pwajok, Juliet; Prichard, Glen; van der Kreeft, Peer; Vigna-Taglianti, Federica. (2020). Correlates of cannabis and other illicit drugs use among secondary school adolescents in Nigeria.. Drug and alcohol dependence, 206, 107457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.04.028
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