This study assessed the factors influencing engagement in substance abuse among undergraduate students in two universities in Port Harcourt, Rivers state Nigeria. The study design adopted a descriptive cross sectional survey. The study populations are students in the two selected tertiary institutions in Port Harcourt which are, the University of Port Harcourt and Rivers state University, Nigeria. The sample size for this study was determined using the Leslie Kesh formula (n=420 plus attrition rate of 10%). A multistage sampling procedure was used for sample selection. The instrument adopted was the socio-demographic questionnaire locally adapted by Omigbodun (2004) and modified by the researcher. Three hundred and thirty one copies (331) were retrieved and analyzed, out of four hundred and twenty distributed questionnaires making a return rate of 78.8%. The study revealed 223 (67.3%) males abuse substances than their female counterparts. Sociocultural factors such as: relationships, peers, poor academic performance were shown to have had a very high influence in individual’s engagement in substance abuse. The study also indicated a high prevalence of substance abuse with students of the University of Port Harcourt 134 (76.6%) than the Rivers State university students 89 (57.1%). There was no significant relationship between the socio-demographic factors and the factors influencing substance abuse engagement; and respondents’ family type and the factors influencing substance abuse engagement. It was recommended among others that a broader scope of monitoring styles, early awareness of the consequences of drug abuse and discipline should be put in-place, and this should begin from the individual’s family to the school, society and wider institutions.

Keywords: Factors, Undergraduates, Substance Abuse Engagement, Tertiary Institutions,

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