The Prevalence of Substance Use and Associated Factors Among Medical Interns of Jimma University, South West Ethiopia - Abstract
Background: The use of substances, especially by medical interns may have an impact on behavior, safety and efficiency of the future doctors. However, despite a growing number of substance users, little attention has been given by the research community in Ethiopia. This study examined the prevalence of substance use and associated factors among medical intern students.
Materials and methods: A cross sectional study design was employed in all medical interns of Jimma University enrolled in the year of 2014/2015, using census survey data collection method. Analysis was done using descriptive statistics and chi-square test on SPSS version 20:0 soft ware. P-value less than 0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: The life time, in the last 12 months and current prevalence of substance use was 48.4, 47.8, and 43.0%, respectively; and the major reasons reported were: to get personal pleasure, peer pressure and to get relief from tension. Ethnicity (X2, 8.04; P=0.04), religion (X2, 31.05; P = 0.001), having friends who use substance/s (X2, 32.07; P = 0.001), were significantly associated with the current use of substance/s. Likewise, residence (X2, 5.00; P= 0.02), ethnicity (X2, 8.06; P= 0.04), having friends who use substance/s (X2, 40.32; P < 0.001) and coming from an area where substance/s is/are commonly used (X2, 5.15; P = 0.02), were significantly associated with the lifetime use of substances.
Conclusion: The prevalence of substance use among intern students was considerably high. Early exposure to substances often predicts future substance use, abuse and dependence with its medical, psycho-social and economic consequences. This necessitates strategic interventions aimed at reducing this problem without delay.