Substance Use and Associated Factors Among Medical Students at the University of Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract BackgroundThe use of substances such as cigarettes, alcohol, and khat has become the rising major public health and socioeconomic problems and more exercised in higher education students. This study was aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of substance use among medical students at the University of Gondar, Ethiopia.MethodA cross-sectional study was employed among medical students at the University of Gondar in the year 2020. All intern and above medical students were recurred and interviewed by using a self-administered questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was used to identify associated factors of current substance use at a p. value < 0.05 in the multivariable model to declare a significant dependent variable.ResultsOut of 277 responded to the interview 91 students (33%, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 27, 38) were current substance users. Enjoyment (39%) was a major reason for starting substance use. Addiction (82%), liver injury (87%), and lung cancer (87%) were the primary mentioned health risks of khat, alcohol, and cigarettes, respectively. Students age (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) =1.26, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.6), friend/s substance use history (AOR=6.09, 95% CI: 2.29, 16.2), and students with parents history of substance use (AOR=2.36, 95% CI: 1.14, 4.88) were factors significantly associated with the substance use.ConclusionOne-third of medical students at the University of Gondar were current substance users. Students with increasing age and those who have proximity with peoples who use substances were the independent positively associated factors for substance use.