Pediatrics & Therapeutics
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0665
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2161-0665
+44 1478 350008
Emmanuel Rudatsikira
Andrews University, USA
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Pediat Therapeut
The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of cannabis use and its socio-demographic correlates among inschool adolescents. We conducted secondary analysis of data obtained from the 2004 Zambia Global School-Based Health Survey. Logistic regressions analysis was conducted to identify the socio-demographic factors associated with cannabis use. A total of 2,257 adolescents participated in the survey, of which 53.9% were females. The overall prevalence of self-reported everused cannabis was 37.2% (34.5% among males and 39.5% among females). In multivariate analysis, males were 8% (AOR=0.92; 95% CI [0.89, 0.95]) less likely to have ever smoked cannabis. Compared to adolescents aged 16 years or older, adolescents aged 14 years were 45% (AOR=1.45; 95% CI [1.37, 1.55]) more likely, and those aged 15 years were 44% (AOR=1.56; 95% CI [0.53, 0.60]) less likely to report having ever smoked cannabis. Other factors that were significantly associated with cannabis use were history of having engaged in sexual intercourse (AOR=2.55; 95% CI [2.46, 2.64]), alcohol use (AOR=4.38; 95% CI [4.24, 4.53]), and having been bullied (AOR=1.77; 95% CI [1.71, 1.83]). Adolescents who reported being supervised by parents during free time were less likely to have smoked cannabis (AOR=0.92; 95% CI [0.88, 0.95]). The use of cannabis is prevalent among Zambian in-school adolescents. Efforts to prevent drug use among Zambian adolescents should be designed considering the factors associated with drug use in this study.
Rudatsikira E is Dean of the School of Health Professions and Professor of Public Health at Andrews University. He has a significant history of research, much achieved through receipt of grants from federal, state and private funding agencies. He has conducted research in more than 30 countries in all regions of the World Health Organization, published over 90 articles in peer-refereed journals, and gave a variety of presentations in many countries.
Email: rudatsikira@andrews.edu