Shehu A U, Idris S H
Department of Community Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
Ann Afr Med. 2008 Dec;7(4):175-9. doi: 10.4103/1596-3519.55657.
The use of Marijuana is on the increase worldwide especially among adolescents and youths. Marijuana smoking has gained a foothold in our environment because of peer group influence, accessibility and availability. Its medico-social effects could ruin the life and future of our youths. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and the factors that influence secondary school students in Zaria LGA to smoke and the effects on academic performance.
A cross-sectional descriptive study was employed to generate data among secondary school students. A multi-stage sampling technique was used. Data was collected with the use of a structured, pre tested self-administered questionnaire. F2 test was used to test for significance of association between categorical variables.
Of the 350 respondents, 262 (74.9%) were males, while 88 (25.1%) were females. The study shows that 33 of the students smoke marijuana giving a prevalence of 9.4%. There were more smokers in the age group 15-19 years (54.6%). Other factors that influence marijuana smoking include family background, peer pressure and attendance of social functions. There was better academic performance (51.1%) among non smokers as compared to smokers (27.2%), and this was found to be statistically significant (chi2 = 11.73, df = 5, P < .05) There was also statistically significant association between age and marijuana smoking (chi2 = 24, df = 2, P < .05).
The prevalence of marijuana smoking is high. Age, family background, peer pressure and attendance of social function influence marijuana smoking. A comprehensive school health education program should be instituted to curtail this menace.
大麻的使用在全球范围内呈上升趋势，尤其是在青少年中。由于同伴群体的影响、可及性和可得性，吸食大麻在我们的环境中已站稳脚跟。其医学社会影响可能会毁掉我们年轻人的生活和未来。本研究旨在确定扎里亚地方政府辖区中学生吸食大麻的流行率及其影响因素，以及对学业成绩的影响。
采用横断面描述性研究来收集中学生的数据。使用了多阶段抽样技术。通过使用结构化的、经过预测试的自填问卷收集数据。F2检验用于检验分类变量之间关联的显著性。
在350名受访者中，262名（74.9%）为男性，88名（25.1%）为女性。研究表明，有33名学生吸食大麻，流行率为9.4%。15 - 19岁年龄组的吸烟者更多（54.6%）。其他影响吸食大麻的因素包括家庭背景、同伴压力和参加社交活动。与吸烟者（27.2%）相比，不吸烟者的学业成绩更好（51.1%），且这在统计学上具有显著性（卡方 = 11.73，自由度 = 5，P <.05）。年龄与吸食大麻之间也存在统计学上的显著关联（卡方 = 24，自由度 = 2，P <.05）。
吸食大麻的流行率很高。年龄、家庭背景、同伴压力和参加社交活动会影响吸食大麻的行为。应制定全面的学校健康教育计划以减少这一威胁。
