Abstract:
The prevalence and determinants of substance use (a lcohol, khat, cigarette), mental illness, suicidal attempt, STDs and teenage pregnancy among adolescents aged 10-24 years have not been well documented in the country. A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in Awassa Zuria Woreda, southern Ethiopia from November to December 1994 G.C. A total of 1953 adolescents were included in the study . Data were collected using questionnaire by trained interviewers. The likelihood of substance (alcohol, Khat, Cigarette) use on average was at least two times higher (p<0.05) among adolescents who reported history of run away from their family and police arrest. Mental illness, suicidal attempt, STDs and teenage pregnancy were found to be more likely to occur among adolescents who use one or more of the substances than others. The older adolescents in general were found to be more likely to be exposed to all of the health related problems studied. Risk factors identified for substance use and association of substance use with the health related problems among adolescents were observed in this study. The level s and the interactions observed between the adolescent risk behaviours and health related problems indicate the need to set an immediate intervention programmes.