International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research (IJSSAR)

Background: Drug abuse is a significant public health concern among undergraduates in Nigeria, with severe consequences on their physical and mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being. Facebook, as a popular social media platform among undergraduates, offers a unique opportunity to reach and engage with undergraduates on health-related issues such as drug abuse.
Objective: The study investigated the impact of Facebook messages in reducing drug abuse among undergraduates of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria.
Method: The study adopted descriptive survey design. The population of the study was 13,917. The sample size was 388. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis were used to analyse the data.
Result: The results show that the intervention group had a significant reduction in drug abuse compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Specifically, the proportion of students who reported using drugs decreased from 35.5% at baseline to 12.5% at follow-up in the intervention group.
Conclusion: The study demonstrates the potential of Facebook messages in reducing drug abuse among undergraduates. The findings suggest that social media-based interventions can be an effective and innovative approach to addressing drug abuse among young adults.
Unique Contribution: This study contributes to the existing literature by providing evidence on the effectiveness of Facebook messages in reducing drug abuse among undergraduates in a Nigerian context.
Key Recommendation: Universities and health organizations should consider leveraging social media platforms, such as Facebook, to deliver targeted interventions aimed at reducing drug abuse among undergraduates.