Exploring the Relationship Between Perceived Risk, Social Norms, and Harm Reduction Practices Among University Students Who Use Recreational Drugs

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between perceived risks, social norms, and harm reduction practices among university students who use recreational drugs in selected universities in Lagos State, Nigeria. Specifically, it assessed students' perceived risks, examined prevailing social norms, determined the level of harm reduction practices, and investigated the relationships among the study variables. The study was guided by five research questions and three null hypotheses. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted. The target population comprised 95,494 undergraduate students at the University of Lagos and Lagos State University. Using purposive sampling, 240 students who self-reported recreational drug use were selected, while 168 valid questionnaires were retrieved and analysed. Data was collected using a researcher -designed 26-item structured questionnaire validated by three experts. A pilot study involving 30 respondents produced a Cronbach's Alpha coefficient of 0.86 , confirming satisfactory reliability. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) answered the research questions, while Pearson Product-Moment Correlation and Multiple Regression Analysis tested the hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings showed that respondents generally had high perceptions of the risks associated with recreational drug use, while social norms moderately influenced drug-related behaviours. Harm reduction practices were moderately adopted. Perceived risks and social norms each had significant positive relationships with harm reduction practices and jointly predicted harm reduction behaviour, with perceived risk emerging as the stronger predictor. The study concluded that individual risk perception and the socia l environment jointly shape harm reduction practices. It recommended strengthening evidence -based drug education, expanding confidential counselling and harm reduction services, and promoting peer-led health education programmes.