KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTION AND USE OF PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES AMONG COMMERCIAL MOTORCYCLE RIDERS IN MINNA METROPOLIS, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The prevalence of Psychoactive Substance (PS) induced Road Traffic Accident (RTA) among Commercial Motorcycle Riders (CMRs) in Minna is of public health concern. However, knowledge of the dangers, health implications and types of PS used by CMRs is yet to be well explored. This study was designed to investigate the knowledge, perception and use of PS among CMRs in Minna metropolis. A cross-sectional study design was adopted and a four-stage random sampling technique was used to select 500 CMRs from commercial motorcycle operating units in Minna metropolis. A semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to elicit information on the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents, prevalence, and factors influencing Use of Psychoactive Substances (UPS). Respondents’ knowledge and their perceptions of health implications of UPS were assessed a 20-point scale each. Knowledge scores of ≤ 7, > 7-12, and >12 were rated as poor, fair, and good knowledge respectively. Perception score of ≤10 and >10 were classified as negative and positive perceptions respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, linear regression and Chi-square test at p = 0.05. Age of respondents was 27.8 ± 6.8 years. Some (37.4%) respondents were Hausa and (48.6%) had western education. Prevalence of UPS was 70.8% with age at initiation being 20.1 ± 2.3 years. The commonly used PS included cigarettes (9.1%), Indian hemp (8.5%) and sedatives (7.9%). Most (80.5%) respondents who used PS worked for eight hours or more a day. Knowledge score was 12.1 ± 4.3. Proportions of respondents with good, fair and poor knowledge were 47.0%, 37.6% and 15.4% respectively. Perception score relating to UPS was 11.2 ± 4.7. Many (54.4%) had a positive perception of UPS. Many (53.0%) opined that some PSs (Cigarettes and Alcohol) are socially acceptable while 52.6% were of the perception that PS do not increase accident rate among CMRs. Some (46.83%) of respondents who had used PS were involved in RTA within the last 3 months preceding the study (p≤0.05) with limb injuries being the most common (50.9%) form of injuries sustained. Main predisposing factors for UPS is peer pressure (58.6%), ignorance (23.6%) and curiosity (15.4%). Reasons for UPS included to be more active (22.6%), to keep awake (19.6%) and to increase strength (17.6%). However, the desire for more power/energy had the greatest contribution to the UPS (r2 = 0.80, 95% CI: 3.2-3.6). Majority (57.7%) respondents who use PS were introduced to it by friends. Consequences of UPS included strained relationship with family and friends (39.0%), addiction (25.9%), and anxiety (13.58%). There was a significant relationship

between educational qualifications and UPS, (p≤0.05). The use of UPS was significantly lower among adolescent CMRs aged 15-24 years while there was a significantly higher prevalence of UPS among CMRs with negative perception. The abuse of psychoactive substances was common among respondents in spite of their good knowledge and positive perception towards the use of psychoactive substances. Health promotion interventions such as peer education, training and group counseling are recommended.