Immunoassay Determination of Prevalence and Pattern of Urinary Drug Substances among Male Students in A Secondary School within Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria: Urinalysis for substance abuse

Abstract

Background: Immunological techniques are required for a wide variety of investigative work in diagnosis but its relevance in education practice is under-studied. This study established the prevalence and pattern of urine drug substance using immunoassay among secondary school students with a view to prevent health complications of drug substance use. It also depicts the need for concerted efforts of life scientists especially immunologists, parents, teachers and old students association in achieving excellent academic performances.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study used Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) questionnaires and urine immunoassay device to determine possible substance abuse in 830 male secondary school students in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Results: Based on DAST analysis, 79.4%, 6.4% and 1.7% of all students needed mild, intensive and severe levels of substance abuse counselling respectively. Higher proportion (58.9%) of students in Junior Secondary Classes 1-3 compared with 41.9% of students in Senior Secondary Classes 1 - 3 needed drug abuse counselling. Student proportion of 85.1%, 5.5% and 2% in JSS classes and student proportion of 29.3%, 3.1% and 0.5% in SSS classes required mild, intensive and severe counselling respectively. Two months after drug abuse counselling of the students, urine immune-assay device detected none of the 12 drug-abuse substances in the urine of all students screened.

Conclusion: Educational intervention and policies should be designed to prevent substance dependence among secondary school students using immunoassay techniques. Large scale urine screening using immunoassay technique is advised.