Psychosocial factors driving common substances used among Ghanaian senior high school students
Abstract Objective Substance use among adolescents poses a significant public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Ghana. This study investigates the prevalence of substance use and its psychosocial correlates among in-school adolescents in Ghana, with the goal of...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Research Notes |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-025-07307-y |
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| author | Rachael Asantewaa Darko Franklin N. Glozah |
| author_facet | Rachael Asantewaa Darko Franklin N. Glozah |
| author_sort | Rachael Asantewaa Darko |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objective Substance use among adolescents poses a significant public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Ghana. This study investigates the prevalence of substance use and its psychosocial correlates among in-school adolescents in Ghana, with the goal of identifying key risk and protective factors to inform culturally appropriate prevention and intervention strategies. Results The findings revealed distinct patterns of substance use linked to social and familial influences. Male students, those living with relatives, and those with peers who drank alcohol had a higher likelihood of alcohol use. Students who engaged in part-time work or had family members who smoked were more likely to use cigarettes. Older adolescents and those with friends who used shisha showed increased shisha consumption. Notably, limited social media exposure and living with parents or siblings were associated with reduced marijuana use. Furthermore, students who reported substance use exhibited signs of potential substance use disorder. The study underscores the strong influence of peer and family substance use behaviours on adolescent substance uptake. These findings highlight the need for targeted, context-specific interventions that address psychosocial risk factors while reinforcing protective family and social dynamics to promote adolescent well-being in Ghana and similar settings. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-076d16e01f9a461a87b8e2dbee02f80d |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1756-0500 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Research Notes |
| spelling | doaj-art-076d16e01f9a461a87b8e2dbee02f80d2025-08-20T03:16:46ZengBMCBMC Research Notes1756-05002025-05-0118111110.1186/s13104-025-07307-yPsychosocial factors driving common substances used among Ghanaian senior high school studentsRachael Asantewaa Darko0Franklin N. Glozah1Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, University of GhanaDepartment of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, University of GhanaAbstract Objective Substance use among adolescents poses a significant public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Ghana. This study investigates the prevalence of substance use and its psychosocial correlates among in-school adolescents in Ghana, with the goal of identifying key risk and protective factors to inform culturally appropriate prevention and intervention strategies. Results The findings revealed distinct patterns of substance use linked to social and familial influences. Male students, those living with relatives, and those with peers who drank alcohol had a higher likelihood of alcohol use. Students who engaged in part-time work or had family members who smoked were more likely to use cigarettes. Older adolescents and those with friends who used shisha showed increased shisha consumption. Notably, limited social media exposure and living with parents or siblings were associated with reduced marijuana use. Furthermore, students who reported substance use exhibited signs of potential substance use disorder. The study underscores the strong influence of peer and family substance use behaviours on adolescent substance uptake. These findings highlight the need for targeted, context-specific interventions that address psychosocial risk factors while reinforcing protective family and social dynamics to promote adolescent well-being in Ghana and similar settings.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-025-07307-ySubstance usePsychosocial factorsAdolescentsGhanaRisk factorsProtective factors |
| spellingShingle | Rachael Asantewaa Darko Franklin N. Glozah Psychosocial factors driving common substances used among Ghanaian senior high school students BMC Research Notes Substance use Psychosocial factors Adolescents Ghana Risk factors Protective factors |
| title | Psychosocial factors driving common substances used among Ghanaian senior high school students |
| title_full | Psychosocial factors driving common substances used among Ghanaian senior high school students |
| title_fullStr | Psychosocial factors driving common substances used among Ghanaian senior high school students |
| title_full_unstemmed | Psychosocial factors driving common substances used among Ghanaian senior high school students |
| title_short | Psychosocial factors driving common substances used among Ghanaian senior high school students |
| title_sort | psychosocial factors driving common substances used among ghanaian senior high school students |
| topic | Substance use Psychosocial factors Adolescents Ghana Risk factors Protective factors |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-025-07307-y |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rachaelasantewaadarko psychosocialfactorsdrivingcommonsubstancesusedamongghanaianseniorhighschoolstudents AT franklinnglozah psychosocialfactorsdrivingcommonsubstancesusedamongghanaianseniorhighschoolstudents |