Prevalence and factors associated with substance use among university students in South Africa: implications for prevention

Table 1 Demographic characteristics from the student sample (n = 2915)

	Count	%
Age
18–24	2164	74.2
25–34	495	17.0
35–44	172	5.9
45–54	68	2.3
55–64	6	0.2
65–74	2	0.1
≥ 75	0	0.0
Missing	8	0.3
Total	2915	100.0
Gender
Female	1863	63.9
Male	990	34.0
Non-binary/third gender	15	0.5
I prefer not to answer	25	0.9
I prefer to self-describe	8	0.3
Missing	14	0.5
Total	2915	100.0
Relationship status?
Single	1571	53.9
In a relationship	1054	36.2
Married	255	8.7
Widowed	2	0.1
Divorced	13	0.4
Separated	9	0.3
Missing	11	0.4
Total	2915	100.0
Year of study
1st year	839	28.8
2nd year	748	25.7
3rd year	667	22.9
Honours	327	11.2
Masters	240	8.2
PhD	66	2.3
Missing	28	1.0
Total	2915	100.0
Faculty of registration
Arts and Humanities	646	22.2
Community and Health Sciences	299	10.3
Law	146	5.0
Education	206	7.1
Natural Science	415	14.2
Dentistry	72	2.5
Economic and Management Sciences	1013	34.8
School of Nursing	38	1.3
School of Pharmacy	26	0.9
School of Government	44	1.5
School of Science and Mathematics Education	4	0.1
Missing	6	0.2
Total	2915	100.0
Residence
University on-campus residence	387	13.3
University off-campus residence	248	8.5
Living at home with parents/family	1517	52.0
Private accommodation	745	25.6
Missing	18	0.6
Total	2915	100.0
Are you originally from the Western Cape?
Yes	1735	59.5
No, I moved here to attend university	521	17.9
No, my family relocated	82	2.8
If "no", where are you originally from?	566	19.4
Missing	11	0.4
Total	2915	100.0

ISSN: 2050-7283