Prevalence and Knowledge of Psychoactive Substance Use among Public Boarding and Day Secondary School Students in Zomba Urban
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Date
2022-06-15
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Abstract
This study will be a cross-sectional descriptive quantitative study that will determine the
prevalence and knowledge of psychoactive substance use among secondary school students in Zomba Urban, Malawi. The researcher will collect data from respondent at one point in time in five public secondary schools.
The Problem
The use of Psychoactive Substances (PSs) is disproportionately increasing among young adults and is fatal. The use of alcohol and other drugs is a significant public health concern related to physical, psychological, and social adverse consequences. Worldwide incidence of addiction was measured at approximately 2.4 % (about 314 million people) According to WHO, addiction account for about (21 million) disability-adjusted life-years lost annually suggesting a major social and economic burden.
Age of onset of alcohol and substance use has dropped significantly worldwide from mean age of 21 years in the mid-1980s to 10 to 15 years.
The negative consequences of using PS among adolescents includes poor academic
performance, risk behaviours including cigarette smoking unsafe sexual behaviors and
substance use disorders and disability. For instance, Zomba Mental Hospital 2021 records shows that 58% of young people aged between 12 to 21 years had mental disorders attributed to PS abuse. The use of drugs among students has remained steady despite the recognition of the issue by educational institutions. For instance, a study conducted, in Blantyre secondary schools found that 24.6% of participants used PS, however, there is paucity of data on the magnitude and level of knowledge on PS use among secondary school students in Zomba. This study will therefore, determine the prevalence and knowledge of PS use among the secondary school students in Zomba urban.
Objectives of the study
Broad objective of the study
Mainly, this study determine the prevalence and knowledge of psychoactive substance use among Secondary School students in Zomba Urban,Malawi.
Specific objective of the study
The specific objectives of this study will be:
1. To determine the percentage of PS use among secondary school students.
2. To assess the knowledge of PS use among the secondary school students
3. To identify demorgraphic factors associated with PS use among secondary school
students.
MethodologyType and Place of Study
This study will employ quantitative cross-sectional descriptive study The study will involve 400 students who will be randomly selected from five Zomba urban secondary schools of Masongola, Malindi, Mulunguzi, Zomba Urban, and Likangala Expected Findings
The study is expected to document the prevalence and knowledge of psychoactive substance use among the secondary school students.
Dissemination of Findings
The findings of this study will be submitted to South Eastern Education Division, Kamuzu
University of Health Sciences (KUHeS, College of Medicine Research and Ethics Committee (COMREC). The findings will also be presented at conferences and published in journals.
Description
Keywords
Prevalence and Knowledge of Psychoactive Substance Use