Journal des soins infirmiers et des soins

Nonconventional Use of Substances among Youth in Nigeria: Viewpoints of Students in a Nigerian Tertiary Institution

Abstract

Aliyu Danjuma, Adeleke Ibrahim Taiwo, Sunday Oluwafemi Omoniyi, Samaila Ayuba Balarabe, Silas Kolo, Solomon Lami Sarah, Yashi Garda Nassa

Introduction: The use of substances such as whitish end of lizard dung, hydrogen sulphide gas (sewer gas), seed of Zakami, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), rubber solutions, nail polish cleaners, pawpaw leave and seed, Moringa (Zogale) leave, tear gas, gun powder, Mandara (Kafra) and gutter from toilet for nonconventional purpose among Nigerian youths has become a source of concern at various levels of the society.

Methods: A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 220 participants recruited during two class sessions in the school.

Results: More than half (117, 58.2 %) of the participants were males and over two-fifth (87, 43.5%) were between the ages of 21 and 25 years. A greater portion (174, 87%) of participants had heard about nonconventional use of these substances; whitish end of lizard dung, hydrogen sulphide gas (sewer gas), Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), rubber solutions, nail polish, pawpaw leave, pawpaw seed, Moringa (Zogale) leave, seed of Zakami, tear gas, gun powder, Mandara (Kafra) and gutter from toilet. Participants’ education, age group and geopolitical zones were associated with awareness level, influencing factors and complication as a result of nonconventional substance use.

Conclusion: Most participants in this study affirmed that the use of nonconventional substances among youths in Nigeria is on the rampant, especially in the northern region.