Effect Of Substance Use On Academic Achievement Of Health Officer And Medical Students Of Jimma University, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Khat (Catha edulis Forsk) chewing habit is becoming a national concern. The habit is spreading at an alarming rate among the young generation especially in high schools and higher institutions in Ethiopia. Students in universities and colleges commonly use khat, cigarette, coffee and other substances to get mental alertness. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and socio-demographic description of substance use and its effect on academic achievement of students in Jimma University. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted among 248 sampled Medical and health officer students from September 16 to 20, 2008 using stratified random sampling method. Data were collected using self-administered structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS for Windows version 16. Statistical association was done when appropriate and level of significance was taken at 5%. RESULt: Out of 248 sampled subjects, 239 responded giving a response rate of 96.4%. Of these 207 (86.6%) were males, 115 (48.1%) Oromos, 129 (54.0%) Orthodox Christian, 214 (89.5) in the age group between 20-24 years, and 152 (63.6%) medical students. The mean age of the study subjects was 23 (±1.6) years. The current prevalence of khat chewing was 33.1%. More males (37.2%) than females, Muslims (71.8%) than other religions, Oromos (40.9%) than other ethnic group, age group 25 - 30 (86.7%) more than other age groups and final year medical students (61.5%) than other class years were found to be khat chewers. The current prevalence of cigarette smoking, alcohol intake and coffee drinking were found to be 21.3%, 36.4%, and 87.9%, respectively. About 68% of the chewers were smoking cigarette during khat chewing. Eighty eight percent of chewers drink coffee. Forty percent of them used to take alcohol after khat chewing and 8.9% of the chewers took other substances like hashish, diazepam and shisha during chewing. Khat chewing had a significant association with high income (p<0.001), with smoking habit (p<0.001) and with coffee drinking habit (p<0.05). There was statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between the mean CGPA of chewers (2.77± 0.43) and non-chewers (2.89±0.40); smokers (2.70±0.45) and non-smokers (2.9±0.4); alcohol users (2.77±0.44) and non-users (2.9±0.4). But no remarkable difference is seen between the mean CGPA coffee users and non users (p = 0.439, 95% CI [0.23- 0.01]). CONCLUSION: The current prevalence of different substance use was found to be high. Sex, age, religion and income have shown significant association with the habit of khat chewing, cigarette smoking, coffee usage and alcohol intake. This study also showed that khat chewing, smoking and alcohol intake have a significant negative influence on academic achievements of university students.