Mapping the landscape of substance use among students in Ghana: a scoping review protocol

Abstract: Substance misuse is the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs. It is a global public health problem projected to rise globally, especially in Africa, over the next decade because of Africa’s relatively young population and population growth. Young people in educational institutions, by nature of their vulnerabilities, pressures and youthful exuberance, become exposed to psychoactive substances early in life. The early exposure to these psychoactive substances leads to health and socioeconomic challenges such as physical and mental health conditions, risky sexual behaviours, violence, antisocial behaviours and death. In 2019, substance use accounted for the death of approximately half a million people globally. Despite these glaring consequences, substance use, particularly in schools, continues to remain high. In Africa, adolescents and young people in schools have been reported to use substances ranging from alcohol, tobacco, cannabis to opioids, codeine and shisha among others. There is also substantial evidence of high levels of substance use among students in Ghana. However, the evidence does not give a comprehensive snapshot of the current state, patterns, extent and factors associated with this phenomenon. This scoping review therefore seeks to map available evidence of substance use among students in Ghana with a focus on prevalence, distribution, types of substances misused and associated factors. This review will inform policymakers of the landscape of substance use among students in Ghana as a basis for targeted interventions.