Implications of Unhealthy Lifestyles on the Health of Adolescents in Eket Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Purpose: This study empirically investigated the multi-dimensional implications of unhealthy lifestyles, specifically drug/substance abuse, risky sexual behaviour, and unhealthy dietary habits on the physical and psychological health of adolescents across rural and urban settings in Eket Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Methodology: A sequential explanatory mixed-methods research design was adopted, combining a large-scale cross-sectional survey (N=1,200) with eight Focus Group Discussions (FGDs, n=64). A multi-stage stratified random sampling technique was used to select senior secondary school students across 12 public schools (6 urban, 6 rural). Data were gathered using self-report measures alongside standardized tools: the Implications of Unhealthy Lifestyles Questionnaire (IULQ) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) validated structural integrity, while internal consistency yielded Cronbach's alpha coefficients of α=0.92 (IULQ) and α=0.88 (DASS-21). Statistical assumptions (normality, homoscedasticity, and independence) were verified prior to conducting descriptive statistics, Chi-Square Tests of Independence, and Binary Logistic Regression (α=0.05).
Findings: Empirical findings confirmed that drug/substance abuse (χ^2=512.40,p<.001), risky sexual behaviour (χ^2=478.60,p<.001), and unhealthy dietary habits (χ^2=489.15,p<.001) exert severe, statistically significant negative implications on adolescent physical and mental health. Identified risks include pulmonary diseases, memory impairment, Hepatitis B/C, STIs (including HIV and HPV), unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortion complications, juvenile obesity, hypertension, and elevated psychological distress. Urban adolescents reported higher fast-food consumption and substance experimentation, whereas rural adolescents exhibited higher vulnerability to reproductive health complications and delayed care-seeking.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice, and Policy: This study advances Pender's Health Promotion Model and Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behaviour by incorporating psychological health indicators and environmental (rural vs. urban) modifiers. Practically, it highlights the need for experimental evaluation of school counseling clinics and peer-led interventions. Policy-wise, it supports enforced public health legislation restricting adolescent substance access and expanding youth-friendly health services.

Adolescent Health, Drug Abuse, Risky Sexual Behaviour, Unhealthy Dietary Habits, Mixed-Methods, Psychological Distress, Rural-Urban Health.

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