Smoking behavior, alcohol intake and depressive symptoms among adolescents attending public secondary schools in Abeokuta, Southwest Nigeria

Background: The growing prevalence of substance abuse and other defective behaviors linked with depression among adolescents has resulted in greater concern.Objective: This study assessed smoking behavior, alcohol intake and depressive symptoms among adolescents attending public secondary schools in Abeokuta.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among secondary school adolescents in Abeokuta, Ogun state, Nigeria. A modified Global School-based Student Health Survey questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-economic and demographic characteristics, and alcohol and drug use. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used to assess depressive disorder symptoms. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS version 21. Statistical significance association was established at p≤0.05.Results: The results revealed that 76.9% were within the age range of 15-19 years. Although majority (87.4%) reported not smoking cigarettes, 54.4% had ever taken alcohol, 29.5% consumed alcohol within the previous month and 33.1% reported age ≤ 13 years at first intake of alcohol. Prevalence of mild to moderately-severe symptoms of depression was 44.0% with mild (36%) and moderate (7.3%) symptoms being the most common. The age of respondents (X2 = 7.646, p=0.024), father's occupation (X2 = 9.76, p=0.045), who therespondent lived with (X2 = 8.81, p=0.003), age at first cigarette trial (X2 = 17.015, p = 0.000), use of other tobacco products (X2 = 11.374, p = 0.003) and number of days smoked (X2 = 10.117, p = 0.006) were significantly associated with depressive symptoms.Conclusion: There was higher prevalence of alcohol use compared to cigarette smoking or use of other tobacco products among the adolescents. Mild and moderate depressive disorder symptoms are common suggesting a need for intervention programs to aid early detection and treatment in schools along with mental health education.