Perception of Female Undergraduates on Drug Abuse in Kano State, Nigeria: Implications for Counselling

: The abuse of drugs by female undergraduate students is becoming alarming, posing serious repercussions for society in general. This study examined the perception of female undergraduates on drug abuse by female university students as perceived by female undergraduate students in Kano State. The study used a sample size of 306 female undergraduate students (selected using proportionate sampling technique) from Faculty of Education in BUK 1 , KUST 2 and YUMSUK 3 . A validated instrument, DAI 4 was used to collect relevant data. The reliability of DAI was established using the test-retest method. PPMC was used to compute the correlation coefficient of the instrument and reliability index of 0.79 was obtained. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer research questions, while t-test for independent sample and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test the three null hypotheses of the study. The findings of the study indicated that Benylin is the most commonly abused drug among female university students in Kano State, there is a difference in the perception of female undergraduates on drug abuse prevalence among female university students in Kano State based on university, in favour of BUK with the highest mean score of 8.04. Based on the findings, it is recommended among others that: the sales of benylin and other commonly abused drug within university campuses should be controlled by university authorities.


Introduction
Drug abuse can be traced to the emergence of modern pharmaceuticals, which paved the way for the availability of modern substances to awaken, sedate, and excite. Historically, people have used herbs, leaves, and plants to cure illness, gain extra energy, or relieve work stress. Drugs properly administered have been a societal blessing. What begins as a measure of relaxation often evolves in time into a problem of dependence and abuse (Muraguri, 2004).
Fundamentally, drugs are either substances that, when consumed in considerable quantity, intoxicate and affect someone's physical and mental balance, reasoning, sense of judgement, and behaviour; or substances that are used in the prevention or treatment of diseases, illnesses, ailments, and sicknesses. sleep, slim or cure (Abdullahi, 2003). The development of modern pharmaceuticals appears to be like a double-edged sword. While drugs rightly and legally administered make it easier and perhaps faster to cure illness, drugs wrongly and illegally administered negatively affect the wellbeing and normal functioning of an organism. Today, the abuse of drugs has become a universal phenomenon that cuts across social strata. Both developed and developing societies are facing an increasing challenge of drug abuse, especially because youth, who are supposedly, seen as leaders of tomorrow and agents of change, are at the vanguard of its perpetration. The usage and abuse of drugs is very common among adolescents, and it can result in serious repercussions (Nalini et al., 2016). Garba (2003) defined drug abuse as the nonmedical use of drugs that can alter mood and perception and have the ability to make the user continue to want to use the drug in spite of the health, social, and physical impairments the drug causes. Drug abuse can also be the improper use of drugs or alcohol to the degree that the consequences are defined as detrimental to the user or to society (Igbo, 2007). Haladu (2003) explained the term drug abuse as the excessive and persistent self-administration of a drug without regard to medically or culturally accepted patterns. For Priyanka & Ankita (2016), drug abuse is an illness that can be characterised as the destructive use of substances that causes many health-related and socio behavioural challenges. It is also the use of drugs when they are not medically necessary, when they are used against legal prohibition, or when there is excessive use of drugs without conformity to medical directives. Drug abuse can also be an illness when it becomes addictive.
Drug abuse has become a global phenomenon. Accordingly, the menace of drug abuse is not new to Nigerian society. Nigeria is witnessing an upsurge of drug-related problems as the country recently graduated or transitioned from the status of a drug-consuming nation to that of a drug-producing one. There has been widespread drug abuse among youths, as reported by most of the media in Nigeria. Similarly, reports from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) indicated that there is a high rate of youths abusing drugs across the country. Based on this report, there is every tendency that students in tertiary institutions as well as universities (the majority of whom are youths) are affected by the menace. Recently, the illegal use of drugs among university students has been recognised as a global public health challenge (Yi et al.,2017).
There is alarming evidence of the prevalence of drug abuse among students (Oliha, 2014). Social vices like drug abuse are very common on the campuses of Nigerian universities (Ibu & Eni, 2018). Okoro & Lahai (2021) revealed that a considerable proportion of undergraduates in Nigeria use drugs. Many undergraduate students in Nigeria are becoming drug dependent, which is a major consequence of drug abuse. Nigeria's educational institutions are dominated by drugs such as morphine, heroine, tobacco, cough syrup, tramadol, Valium 5, and Chinese capsules that youthful students commonly abuse (Ibrahim et al., 2019). Atwoli, Mungla, Ndungu, Kinoti & Ogot (2011) found a prevalence of substance use among college and university students in a low income country, with the most commonly used substances being alcohol and cigarettes.
The abuse of drugs and many, other socially problematic behaviours are seen as maledominated behaviours. However, the rate at which female youths are engaging in drug abuse is becoming more alarming. Asagba, Agberotimi & Olaseni (2021) argued that there is evidence suggesting a rise in the level of female involvement in substance or drug use. The current trend of substance abuse among women is troubling and has become an issue of major national concern (Adenugba & Okeshola, 2018). Reports by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have revealed an increasing involvement of women in drug abuse. Among the increasing percentage of female youths engaging in drug abuse, a lot of these female youths are undergraduate students or have started abusing drugs as undergraduate students. The prevalence of drug abuse among female undergraduates is becoming a serious negative development that is affecting their personal development. It is seriously becoming an issue to which everyone's attention is being drawn, as long as that person is conscious of what brought about improved societal welfare and peaceful coexistence among the teeming population. It is a behaviour disorder that is destroying the ethical standards of many societies.
The use of drugs among college and university students remains an important area of research due to the implications of early drug dependence on the future of youth (Atwoli et al., 2011). Accordingly, most of these young students are not fully aware of the magnitude of the problem or its long-term consequences, and even if they are, they find it extremely difficult to terminate their unhealthy relationship with drugs. This signifies that these young students are facing a serious problem that needs societal intervention. Hence, most universities in Nigeria establish guidance and counselling centres or units, and the counsellors are ready to assist students having problems. Most students dealing with drugs, however, do not seek the help of the university counsellors because they may not want people to know that they are abusing drugs, especially female drug abusers. In light of the above, the objectives of the study are to: find out the perception of female undergraduates on the most commonly abused drug among female university students in Kano State; understand the perception of female undergraduates on the prevalence of drug abuse among female university students in Kano State.

Research Design, Population and Sample
The study used a survey design to find out the perceptions of female undergraduates about drug abuse among female university students in Kano State. The target population of this study comprised all the level 200 and 300 (female undergraduates of Bayero University Kano, Yusuf Maitama Sule University Kano, and Kano University of Science and Technology Wudil from the department of education. According to the statistical report obtained from the Centre for Information Technology (CIT), the total number of female undergraduates in Bayero University Kano is one thousand two hundred and forty-two (1242), and according to the departmental record of students for the 2017/2018 session, the total number of female undergraduates in Yusuf Maitama Sule University is six hundred and seventy-one (671), while Kano University of Science and Technology female undergraduates are three hundred and ninety-three (393), making the total number of female students two thousand three hundred and six (2306).
Accordingly, the sample size of the study is 306 female undergraduates from Bayero University Kano, Yusuf Maitama Sule University Kano, and Kano University of Science and Technology Wudil. Out of the above sample, 164 female undergraduates at Bayero University, 89 female undergraduates at Yusuf Maitama Sule University Kano, and 53 female undergraduates at Kano University of Science and Technology Wudil were selected to form the sample size. The sample size was drawn from the total population using Researcher Advisors (2006). A proportionate sampling technique was used in selecting the sample for the study. Proportionate sampling is a sampling method used when the population is composed of several subgroups that are vastly different in number. The number of participants from each subgroup is determined by their number relative to the entire population. The total number of female undergraduates was two thousand three hundred and six (2306), and a simple random sampling technique was used to select three hundred and six (306) respondents. The table below provides a clearer view of the population and sample size of the study. Source: Fieldwork, 2020.

Data Collection Instrument
The instrument used in collecting data in this study is researcher-developed questionnaire titled Drug Abuse Inventory (DAI). The instrument consists of three sections A, B and C. Section "A" is concerned with personal data of the respondents such as university, year of study etc, section "B" consist of eleven (11) items related to drugs commonly abused by female university students and section "C" consists of four (4) items, prevalence of Drug Abuse among Female University Students. The instrument is based on four (4) likert scale.

Scoring of the Inventory
The Inventory was scored on (4) point Likert scale to find out the perception of female undergraduates on drugs of abuse and drug abuse. The response categories of the Inventory was weighted by assigned numerical value as: Strongly Agree= 4, Agree = 3, Disagree =2 and Strongly Disagree =1 while most of them= 3, many of them =2, some of them= 1 and none of them= 0. The sum of weight of all the items choose by the subject represents the individual's total score.

Validity and Reliability of DAI
Validation of the instrument was obtained with the assistance of the Supervisor and other experts in the Department of Education Bayero University and Yusuf Maitama Sule University Kano. The useful suggestions such as modification of some items and grammatical errors were effected in drafting the final instrument with a view to eliminate ambiguities and irrelevant items to ensure a well-structured instrument.
The reliability of the instrument was obtained from pilot testing of the instrument using test retest method. Test retest type of reliability is determined by administering the same test twice to the same candidates under approximately the same conditions. The score obtained on the two occasions are then correlated to establish the degree to which two sets of scores correspond. A test that yields similar scores on two administrations where no significant event has taken place is highly reliable. Pearson Product Moment Correlation Co-efficient was used in computing the correlation co-efficient of the instrument and a reliability index of 0.79 was obtained.

Data Collection and Analysis
The collection of data was done through personal administration and assistance from the research assistants who were trained on how to administer the instrument. The instrument was administered to level 2 and 3 students of Department of Education in the sampled schools and only female students participated in the research. Accordingly, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 was used in the analysis of the collected numerical data. The statistical tool that was used to analyze and interpret the data is descriptive. Descriptive statistical technique (mean and standard deviation) was used to answer research questions. T-test for independent sample and Analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to test differences in all the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance.

Results
Below shows the summary of distribution of the respondents and answers to research questions based on the data collected from the instruments of data collection employed in the process of data collection. Source: Fieldwork, 2020. Source: Fieldwork, 2020 Table 3 above shows that benylin has the highest mean score of 3.57, closely followed by codeine with a mean score of 3.52, rohypnol with a mean score of 3.37, tobacco with a mean score of 3.35, tramadol with a mean score of 2.94, heroin and marijuana both with a mean score of 2.80, gadagi with a mean score of 2.64, solution with a mean score of 2.56, alcohol with a mean score of 2.04 and finally cocaine with a mean score of 1.85. Therefore, Benelyn is the most commonly abused drug by female university students in Kano State with the highest mean score of (3.57).

Research Question Two:
What is the perception of female undergraduates on the prevalence of drug abuse among female university students in Kano State.

Hypotheses Testing
Analysis of variance and t-test for independent sample was used for the analysis of the three hypotheses using statistical program for social sciences (SPSS) computer analysis.
HO1: There is no significant difference in the perception of female undergraduates on the prevalence of drug abuse among female university students in Kano State based on university. Table 5 above shows Analysis of Variance of difference in the prevalence of drug abuse among female university students based on universities. The result shows the p-value of 0.00 tested at 0.05 with a 305 degree of freedom. The p-value (0.00) is less than 0.05 level of significance. Therefore, the null hypothesis which states that there is no significant difference in the perception of female undergraduates on the prevalence of drug abuse among female university students in Kano state is rejected. This means that there is significant difference in the perception of female undergraduates on the prevalence of drug abuse among female university students in Kano State. Source: Fieldwork, 2020 (*The mean difference is significant at the 0.05 level) HO2: There is no significant difference in the perception of female undergraduates on the prevalence of drug abuse among female university students in Kano State based on programme. HO3: There is no significant difference in the perception of female undergraduates on the prevalence of drug abuse among female university students in Kano State based on level. Table 8 above shows the test result of difference in prevalence of drug abuse among female university students based on level of study. The result shows the calculated t-value of 2.165 and p-value of 0.31tested at 0.05 with a 305 degree of freedom. The p-value (0.31) is greater than the 0.05 level of significance. Therefore, the null hypothesis which states that there is no significant difference in the perception of female undergraduates on the prevalence of drug abuse among female university students is retained. This means that, there is no significant difference in the perception of female undergraduates on the prevalence of drug abuse among female university students in Kano State based on level.

Discussion
This study was set up mainly to investigate the perceptions of female undergraduates about drug abuse among female university students in Kano State. In this study, drugs commonly abused as well as the prevalence of drug abuse in Kano State public universities were investigated using the Drug Abuse Inventory (DAI). The first research question reveals that Benylin (with a mean score of 3.57) is perceived as the most commonly abused drug among female university students in Kano State. The finding also reveals that cocaine (with a mean score of 1.85) is the least commonly abused drug among female university students in Kano State. The finding of Adeyemo, Ohaeri, Pat & Ogodo (2016) is not in conformity with the most commonly abused drug but is in conformity with the least abused drug. The study sought to determine the prevalence of drug abuse among students at the University of Benin. The study employs a descriptive survey design using a sample size of 800 students (44.6% female representation). The study found that alcohol and coffee were the most commonly abused drugs, while cocaine was the least. The finding is also not in agreement with the findings of Oshikoya & Alli (2006) who conducted a survey with 807 out of 1000 respondents (80.7% response rate) on the perception of drug abuse among undergraduate students residing off-campus at Lagos State University. The study found that marijuana (45.7%) was the most commonly abused drug seen by most students. The study findings are also in disagreement with the findings of Adelekan, Abiodun, Obayan & Ogunremi (1998) who investigated the prevalence and pattern of substance use among undergraduate students at the University of Ilorin with 636 analysed questionnaires (out of which 41% were females). Contrary to this study's findings, Adelekan et al. (1998) provided the most commonly abused substances, which included salicylate analgesics.
This finding also contradicts the argument of Sharp & Rosen (2007) who maintained that females are more likely to participate in the use of recreational stimulants. Benylin is, however, a sedative that tranquillizes the central nervous system and induces a feeling of relaxation. However, a study conducted by Hali (2017) in Kano Metropolis found that the substance mainly abused by women was cough syrup or roche, while cocaine and steroids were the least abused. The study was conducted in Kano Metropolis, where two of the three sampled universities are located. The finding of Hali (2017) is in agreement with this study's finding because Benelyn is also a cough syrup. Accordingly, Hali (2017) also found alcohol to be the least abused drug. The need to relieve stress or pressure emanating from role conflict may be the reason why benylin is the most commonly abused drug by female undergraduate students. The drug will at least for a while allow users to forget about disappointments, probably because the reality of life has affected them more severely than expected and they have no other alternative to dealing with it (Matejovicova et al., 2015). Sedatives, among other drugs, are even relatively more accessible (Omotoso et al., 2021).  Babalola et al. (2014) found the lifetime prevalence of drug abuse among medical students in Olabisi Onabanjo at 65%.
The first hypothesis provides that there is a significant difference in the perception of female undergraduates about the prevalence of drug abuse among female university students based on the university. This finding also indicates that BUK has the highest prevalence of drug abuse among female university students with a mean score of 8.04, followed by YUMSUK with a mean score of 7.74 and finally KUST with 6.60 mean score. The findings from the analysis of hypothesis with a p-value of 0.00 (tested at a 0.05 level of significance) proved that there is a difference in the prevalence of drug abuse between the three sampled universities. This may be because, BUK is a federal institution, and the students may be more aware of the issue of drug abuse. This finding is in agreement with the finding of Onoja (2010) who compared the prevalence of drug abuse among students of private secondary schools and public secondary schools in Jos. A total of 250 self-administered questionnaires were distributed in each school using proportionate allocation by stratification. Onoja (2010) found that drug abuse was more prevalent in private schools than in government schools.  (2014) also indicated a relationship between the prevalence of drug abuse among university students and the year of study. This finding also contradicts the finding of Schegute & Wasihun (2021), who reported a higher prevalence of khat use among 3 rd and 4 th year students.
Accordingly, drug abuse remains a problem affecting young adult female undergraduates in Nigeria. The findings of the study have implications for counselling by providing a hint on the most commonly abused drug and which students use drugs more. Such information can be utilised by university management, guidance, and counsellors, as well as the state in general. For example, the solution-focused brief therapy that concentrates on solutions to behavioural problems rather than the problems can utilise these findings. Solutions to drug abuse by undergraduates can rally around such data to understand how the strengths and potentials of affected students can best be exploited.

Conclusion
Even with formal and informal strategies used by both the sampled institutions, family members, and the community at large, the problem of drug abuse continues to persist among female students. However, not much attention is given to counselling strategies. Female students can be immensely assisted by counsellors to overcome and manage their problems. In other words, the majority, if not all, of these female students with drug problems can be treated with counselling interventions. Since benylin is the most commonly abused drug by female university students, the university management should take the appropriate measures to ensure that benylin is not easily accessible within the university campus by preventing its sale. The university should also ensure that students found with benylin are punished accordingly (except strictly under a doctor's prescription). Based on the scope and limitations of the study, it is recommended that similar studies be carried out using distinct or different research techniques but on similar behaviour. The scope of the study was limited to undergraduate students from the faculty of education. Therefore, it is recommended that similar study should be conducted to cover students from other faculties of the university.