Psychosocial correlates of substance use among undergraduates in Ilorin University, Nigeria.

The consistency of psychosocial correlates of alcohol, cigarettes and cannabis use was evaluated among undergraduates of a Nigerian University. The correlates were derived from repeat cross-sectional surveys conducted in 1988 and 1993, when 649 and 859 respondents respectively completed a standardised WHO substance-use questionnaire. Information provided on substance use patterns were correlated with socio-demographic variables, familial and best friend's usage, perceived availability and perceived harmfulness. Consistency was found in the significant correlations between the following: (i) lack of religiosity and the use of the three substances; (ii) drinking and the presence of study difficulty, strained relationship with teachers and belonging to the Christian religion; (iii) smoking and the male gender, and self-reported poor mental health; (iv) cannabis use and belonging to the older age group; (v) respondents' use of the substances and use in the peer group, siblings, and parents in that order; (vi) perception of substance as harmful and low use rates; (vii) perception of easy availability and high use rates. Some correlates were inconsistent, while some new ones emerged. The significance of the correlates in terms of packaging intervention programmes is discussed, against the background of the inherent limitations of the study design.