Prevalence and Patterns of Substance Use Among University Students: A Retrospective Descriptive Study From A Private University Hospital in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Substance abuse among tertiary institution students remains a critical public health and educational challenge in Nigeria, recently prompting national mandatory screening policies. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and patterns of commonly abused substances among university students undergoing mandatory drug testing. A retrospective descriptive study was carried out to evaluated multi-panel immunoassay urine drug test records of 3,705 students at a private university hospital in Abuja in 2025. Data were analyzed for 12 substance classes, examining distributions across gender and enrollment status. Of the 3,705 students screened (1,638 male, 2,067 female), the vast majority (91.44%, n = 3,388) fell within the 15–24 years age bracket. The overall positivity rate was 5.16% (n = 191). The detected substances were Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, 54.45% of positives) and Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA, 27.23% of positives). Higher positivity rates were observed among males and returning students. Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol and prescription tricyclic antidepressants dominate the substance profile among students, primarily impacting the adolescent and young adult demographic (15–24 years). The findings underscore the necessity of targeted institutional wellness initiatives and non-punitive rehabilitation pathways.