Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Youths Towards Drug Abuse
Chapter One
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study was to:
- Determine the influence of knowledge on psychoactive substance use by the undergraduate students of the University of uyo, Uyo.
- Determine the influence of age groups on psychoactive substance use by the undergraduate students of the University of Uyo
- Determine the influence of gender in the use of drugs by the undergraduate students of the University of Uyo
- Determine the influence of monthly allowance on psychoactive substance use by the undergraduate student of University of uyo
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
This study was conducted on ―Knowledge and Use of Drugs among Undergraduate Students of University of uyo, Uyo.‖ In the light of this, this chapter is set to deal with the review of current literature that is related to the study under the following sub-titles.
Concept of Psychoactive Substance Abuse
The current trend of substance abuse among youth is a major national concern, it is troubling, and has derogatory effects on youth such as health and behavioural problems, or even death. Falco (1988); as cited by Yusuf (2010), viewed that ―chronic use of substance can cause serious, sometimes irreversible damage to adolescents‘ physical and psychological development. Therefore, the issue of substance abuse has become a worrisome phenomenon, because youth are dying morally, socially, psychologically and physically. Currently, drugs ranging from alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, cocaine, heroin to hashish and many others are readily available to youth in Nigeria and this has made many youths to be perpetrators of social vices in the society.
Mersy (2003), described substance abuse as problematic use of alcohol, tobacco, or illicit and /or prescription drugs and it has been referred to as nation‘s number one health problem. While, David, Derald & Stanley (1990), referred to substance abuse as a pathological pattern or excessive use, intake of a substance even though it may be causing physical damage, jeopardizing safety (such as driving a car while intoxicated) or impairing social relationships and occupational functioning. Need for substance may lead to a pre-occupation with its acquisition and use. Substance abuse may reduce undergraduate chances of graduating from school or of landing and holding a steady job, it may also be causing student unrest in the campus which will disturb academic calendar and this may also lead to poor academic performance. According to Hawkins, Cataland and Miller (1992), described a low level of commitment to education and higher truancy rates appear to be related to substance use among adolescent. Bureau of Justice Statistics (1992), cited in Yusuf (2010), as posited that cognitive and behavioral problems experienced by alcohol and drug-using youth may interfere with their academic performance and also present obstacles to learning for their classmates.
Substance abuse is common among undergraduate students; many of them abuse substance such as drug alcohol and tobacco. Alcohol is the most widely used and abused drug among youth, and it causes serious and potentially life threatening problems for this population. Eke Jumba (1991), as cited in Yusuf (2010), noted that alcohol is the most abused substance in Nigerian campuses. Denga in Piwana and Haggai (2007), pointed out that alcohol has become a recreational past time with students, to the extent that students have found a new religion in which drinking alcohol is the major sacrament. This refers to the ―Kegites‖ Fraternity. The findings of Piwana and Haggai (2007), also revealed that the drugs commonly used at cult meetings include first and foremost alcohol and tobacco; all cult groups abuse these two drugs regularly.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
The purpose of this study was to investigate ―Knowledge and Use of Drugs among Undergraduate Students of University of uyo, Uyo.‖ This chapter focused on the procedural steps, methods that were used by the researcher. The methods are described under the following headings:
Research Design
Expost-facto research design was used in this study. Asika (1991) observed that ex-post facto research is a systematic study in which the researcher does not in anyway control or manipulate the independent variables because the situation for study already exists or has already taken place. Therefore, ex-post facto design was found suitable for this study since the study examined the relationships between knowledge and use of drugs among the undergraduate students of University of uyo, Uyo.
Population of the Study
The population of study comprises of all registered undergraduate students of both main and congo campuses for 2012/2013 academuc session (see appendix 5).
Pilot Study
The researcher tested the instrument at the Federal College of Education Uyo, and since it had similar characteristics and background with the sample of interest to the study. (Only undergraduate students were studied).
A total of 50 copies of the questionnaire were used. The data collected were statistically analysed using Guttman Split Half, and Spearman Brown reliability coefficient to determine internal consistency and reliability of the instrument and the result indicated a reliability coefficient of 0.86 which is usable.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
Introduction
This chapter presents the analysis of the research questions as well as determining and interpretation of the research hypothesis of the study titled ―Knowledge and Use of Drugs among Undergraduate Students of University of uyo, Uyo.‖ The first part presents the analysis of socio-demographic variables using frequencies and percentages. The second section is on hypothesis testing and the third section presents discussion of major findings.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Introduction
In this chapter, the summary of ―Knowledge and Use of Drugs among Undergraduate Students of University of uyo, Uyo.‖ was presented along with conclusion and recommendations of the study.
Summary
The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge and use of drugs among undergraduate students of University of uyo, Uyo. To effectively investigate this, a structured close ended questionnaire was used to obtain information from the respondents.
The questionnaire was validated and pilot tested for reliability and internal consistency of the instrument which revealed a reliability coefficient of 0.86 which is useable for the study. The tested instrument was then administered to 327 students from the twelve faculties in University of uyo, Uyo through a stratified random sampling procedure, proportionate and convenient sampling technique.
The data collected were presented using descriptive statistics of frequency, percentages and inferential statistics of chi-square and t-test at 0.05 alpha level of significance.
The study found that sources of does not have any significant relationship with psychoactive substance abuse among the students. Also, it was revealed that most of the psychoactive substance users were between ages 16 to 30 years, while both male and female undergraduate students were found to use drugs with almost equal proportion. Similarly, almost the same percentage of current academic ratings of students was found for all categories of students. The study also revealed that most of the psychoactive substance users have no parents alive. Consequently, students who live on campus are almost of the same percentage with those who live off campus on the bases of psychoactive substance use.
Summary of Major Findings
- There was no significant relationship between knowledge about drugs and the use by the undergraduate students of University of uyo,
- There was significant relationship between drugs use and Age of the undergraduate students of University of uyo, Uyo.
- There was no significant relationship between drugs use and gender of the undergraduate students of University of uyo, Uyo.
- There was no significant difference between drugs use and monthly allowance of the undergraduate students of University of uyo,
- There was no significant relationship between drugs use and the current academic performance of the undergraduate students of University of uyo,
- There was significant relationship between drugs use and parental living (alive) of the undergraduate students of University of uyo,
- There was no significant relationship between drugs use and place of residence of the undergraduate students of University of uyo,
Conclusion
This study assessed the knowledge and the use of drugs among undergraduate students of University of uyo, Uyo. On the basis of the finding of this study, the following conclusions were made:
- Knowledge about drugs abuse does not influence its use amongst undergraduate
- Age has a significant relationship with the use and knowledge of drugs amongst undergraduate
- Gender does not influence the use and knowledge of drugs abuse amongst undergraduate
- Monthly allowance of the students does not determine the use and knowledge of drugs amongst undergraduate students.
Recommendations
The following recommendations could reduce the prevalence of drug abuse if not totally eradicated among students of University of uyo.
- More awareness on the meaning of psychoactive substance abuse should be made available in courses, in guidance and counseling centres and bill boards as majority of the students did not have knowledge of drugs and its
- Early health education on the effect of psychoactive substance should commence at an early age before students gain admission into the
- Equal attention should be paid to both male and female students on the effects of psychoactive substance
- Close attention should be paid to all students regardless of their socio-economic background since monthly allowance does not influence the use of drugs.
- Students whose parents are dead are prone to psychoactive substance abuse, so they should be given special attention by the university
Suggestion for Further Research Studies
This study concentrated on undergraduate students of University of uyo, Uyo. There is a need to replicate this study using other population such as postgraduate students, diploma students, and secondary students in both public and private schools. If the studies share the same model, the finding of the studies can be applied in other to develop educational programme for these population as well (drug education). If they have a different model, researchers need to identify what similarities and differences exists between the findings of this study and theirs in terms of knowledge, prevalence and pattern of psychoactive substance abuse among the sub populations. This effort may guarantee development of an effective drug education programme based on the characteristics of the population for Nigerian students.
More in-depth behavioural study is needed, focusing on the perceptions, effects, experiences and attitude of undergraduate students in different settings and research is also needed to explore the ways in which psychoactive substance abuse could be controlled/prevented and managed in tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
Research is needed to study certain categories of psychoactive substance abusers with aim of identifying the specific reasons that made the students engage in these activities and based on specific drugs and also ways to proffer solution to them based on the findings.
REFERENCES
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