KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTION AND ATTITUDE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST MOTHERS TOWARD THE EFFECTS OF YOUTH SUBSTANCE USE AND ABUSE IN NIGERIA

 Substance use is the consumption of psychoactive substances such as alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs that alter mental functions including mood, thinking, and behaviour. Substance abuse is the improper or excessive use of both legal and illegal substances, including the misuse of prescription medications such as painkillers, stimulants, and sedatives. Studies have shown that youths who engage in substance use and abuse are more likely to experience physical and mental health problems, engage in risky sexual behaviours, contract sexually transmitted infections, involving in violence, criminal activities, and school dropout. The study therefore looked at the knowledge, perception and attitude of Seventh - day Adventist mothers toward the effects of youth substance use and abuse in Nigeria. A descriptive research design was adopted for the study. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire.  A total of 406 respondents were selected randomly. Findings revealed that the majority of respondents (78.3%) had attained tertiary education. There was a high level of knowledge of substance use and abuse among Seventh-day Adventist mothers (x̄ = 20.6 ± 2.35). Mothers’ perception of the risk factors associated with youth substance use and abuse was also recorded (x̄ = 13.8 ± 3.09). Additionally, a high level of positive attitude was observed among the mothers (x̄ = 21.8 ± 4.22). Based on these findings, the study recommends the establishment of parent support groups where Seventh-day Adventist mothers, alongside mothers from other denominations, can be educated on identifying early warning signs of substance use and abuse among youths.