Substance Use Among Medical Students in Ethiopia
Author Information
Author(s): Deressa Wakgari, Azazh Aklilu
Primary Institution: Addis Ababa University
Hypothesis
What is the prevalence of substance use and its predictors among undergraduate medical students at Addis Ababa University?
Conclusion
Substance use among medical students is present but not alarming, with trends increasing from Year I to Internship.
Supporting Evidence
- 22% of students reported alcohol use in the past year.
- 7% reported khat use in the past 12 months.
- 9% of students reported ever smoking cigarettes.
Takeaway
Many medical students in Ethiopia use alcohol, khat, and tobacco, often influenced by their friends' habits.
Methodology
A cross-sectional study using a structured self-administered questionnaire was conducted among 622 medical students.
Potential Biases
Self-reported data may lead to recall bias and under-reporting due to social desirability.
Limitations
The study's cross-sectional design limits the ability to establish causality, and the sample may not represent the entire population.
Participant Demographics
68.5% male, 31.5% female; ages 18-39, majority aged 20-24; 63% Orthodox Christians.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.002 for alcohol use by sex
Confidence Interval
95% CI = 1.22-3.76 for alcohol use associated with being male
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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