A Study To Assess the Knowledge Regarding Drug Abuse and its Ill Effects among First Year Degree Students at D.R.M Science College in Davangere

 

Prof. S F Billalli¹, Mr. Paramesh G M², Mr. Prasannakumar D R²

¹Principal, Bapuji College of Nursing, Davangere

²Assistant Professor, Bapuji College of Nursing, Davangere

 

ABSTRACT:

Prevalence of substance abuse is high among adolescents as they are keen to experiment the drugs to fulfill their curiosity. If their experimentation could be prevented by making them aware about the abuse and its consequences, the prevalence of the substance abuse can be reduced.

Objectives:

1.    To assess the knowledge regarding drug abuse among First year degree students of selected Degree College in Davangere.

2.    To compare the level of knowledge with selected demographic variables.

3.    To prepare and provide information booklet.

Methods:

A descriptive survey design was adopted to accomplish the objectives of the study. A sample of 40 first year degree students was selected by using simple random sampling technique. The knowledge of first year degree students on drug abuse and its ill effects was determined by administering structured questionnaire.

Results:

Findings of the study revealed that the mean percentage of knowledge score was 56.24% (mean: 14.06±3.519). There was a statistically significant association between knowledge scores and the selected demographic variables such as age, gender and occupation of father at 0.05 level of significance.

Conclusion:

From the study findings, it is revealed that first year degree students had average knowledge regarding drug abuse and its ill effects. Hence there is great need to impart awareness among degree students.

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Substance abuse has become a global phenomenon. It has affected almost every country, although its extent and characteristics differ from region to region. It is estimated that at least 40 million people throughout the world are regular substance or drug abusers. The problems of drug abuse are localized especially in the urban, semi-urban and along the border areas of India.^1-2 The period of adolescence is a vulnerable period in the life of an individual. The increased vulnerability in this period related to psychological factors like curiosity, poor impulse control, run away from reality, psychological distress and so forth. The social factors like peer influence, lack of clear identity, and self or intra-familial conflict also expose the adolescent to substance abuse.³

 

The problem of substance abuse is a significant problem among adolescents in our societies as the problem is increasing day by day due to various factors like easy availability and rapid socioeconomic and demographic changes⁴. Recent studies have shown that the drug addicts registered for treatment and rehabilitation of various treatment centers are mostly adolescents and youth students⁵. In terms of initiating substance abuse a significant percentage of drug abuser (83%) has started using drug and other substances between 16-20 years followed by under 15 years⁶.

 

NEED FOR THE STUDY:

Substance abuse is a serious public health problem that affects almost every community and family in some way. Each year substance abuse results in around 40 million serious illnesses or injuries among people in the States⁷. Teens who abuse drugs with needles increase their risk of blood-borne diseases like HIV, AIDS and Hepatitis B and C⁸.

 

Nevertheless, experimentation with substances, particularly alcohol and tobacco, is progressively more common behavior among college students.  There is casual relationship between alcohol consumption and more than 60 types of diseases and injury worldwide alcoholisms estimated to cause about 20% - 30% of esophageal cancer, liver cancer, and cirrhosis of liver, homicide, epilepsy and motor vehicle accidents. Worldwide 1.8 million deaths and 58.3 million DALY attributed to the use of alcohol⁹.

 

A study was conducted to assess the awareness among college students and to determine relationship of knowledge and selected variables in 100 pre-degree students (first year) from 3 colleges in Calcutta using a structured knowledge questionnaire. Stratified sampling was used. The study result showed that college students’ knowledge of drug abuse was inadequate. No significant relationship was found between knowledge, sex and mass media¹⁰.

 

OBJECTIVES:

1.    To assess the knowledge of first year degree students regarding the drug abuse and its ill effects.

2.    To determine the effectiveness of health exhibition and video show on knowledge regarding exclusive breastfeeding among First year degree students.

3.    To find the association between knowledge scores of first year degree students and selected demographic variables.

 

HYPOTHESIS:

H₁:

There will be significant association between the knowledge scores of degree students with selected demographic variables.

 

METHODOLOGY:

Research Design:

The research design selected for study was descriptive survey design.

 

Sampling Technique:

Simple random sampling Technique

 

Sample:

Sample size was 40 First Year Degree Students who are studying in DRM Science College, Davanagere

 

VARIABLES:

Research Variable:

Knowledge of first year degree students on drug abuse and its ill effects.

 

Demographic Variables:

Age, gender, religion, occupation of father, family income, family type and source of information regarding drug abuse and its ill effects.

 

SETTING:

The present study was conducted in DRM Science College, Davanagere.

 

DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUE:

Section A:

It deals with socio demographic characteristics which include age, gender, religion, occupation of father, family income, family type and source of information regarding drug abuse and its ill effects.

 

Section B:

Structured knowledge questionnaire was prepared to assess knowledge on drug abuse and its ill effects among First year degree students.

 

RESULTS:

Section 1: Selected personal variables of the First year degree students.

 

TABLE 1: Frequency and percentage distribution of first year degree students in selected demographic characteristics         n = 40

Demographic Characteristics of samples		Frequency	Percentage
Age	17-18 years	14	35
	18- 19 years	18	45
	19-20 years	06	15
	20 years and above	02	5
Gender	Male	18	45
	Female	22	55
Religion	Hindu	36	90
	Muslim	04	10
Occupation of Father	Employee	07	17.5
	Agriculture	20	50
	Business	O7	17.5
	Others	06	15
Family Income	Below 5000	01	2.5
	5000 – 10,000	05	12.5
	10,000- 20,000	22	55
	20,000 and above	12	30
Family type	Joint	05	12.5
	Nuclear	35	87.5
Source of information	Media	28	70
	Self reading	05	12.5
	Friends and relatives	03	7.5
	Others	04	10

 

Section 2: Knowledge of first year degree students regarding drug abuse and its ill effects.

Table 2: Knowledge level of first year degree students regarding drug abuse and its ill effects n = 40

Knowledge	Frequency	%
Inadequate (Less than 50%)	26	65
Moderate (51-75%)	14	35
Adequate (76-100%)	0	0
Total	40	100

 

Table 3: Mean, mean % and standard deviation of Knowledge of first year degree students regarding drug abuse and its ill effects n = 40

Knowledge aspects	Number of Items	Maximum Score obtained	Mean	Mean %	SD
	25	25	14.06	56.24	3.519

 

Section 3: Association between knowledge of first year degree students on drug abuse and its ill effects with their selected personal variables

The selected personal variables such as age, gender and occupation of father were having significant association with the knowledge scores of first year degree students on drug abuse and its ill effects at 0.05 level.

 

CONCLUSION:

·      The findings of the study revealed that the first year degree students had average knowledge regarding the drug abuse and its ill effects. Data shows that majority 26 (65%) had inadequate knowledge and 14 (35%) had moderate knowledge regarding drug abuse and its ill effects.

·      The above findings of the study showed that the first year degree students had inadequate knowledge regarding drug abuse and its ill effects and they show the need for educational strategies.

·      The findings of the study also revealed that the knowledge of first year degree students regarding drug abuse and its ill effects had significant association with their selected personal variables viz. age, gender and occupation of father.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

The following recommendations were made based on the results of the study.

1.    A similar study can be replicated on a larger sample with similar demographical characters.

2.    A similar study can be replicated with a control group using a larger population of the community.

3.    A study on knowledge, attitude and practices of first year degree students regarding drug abuse and its ill effects can be carried out.

4.    A study can be conducted to assess the actual practices of drug abuse and its ill effects by First year degree students.

5.    A follow-up study can be conducted to determine the effectiveness of health exhibition and video show.

 

REFERENCE:

1.       United Nation Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC). Drug Abuse and Demand Reduction. [Internet].  [Cited 17th  July, 2006]Available from:  http://wwwunodc.org/ Youth and Drugs 2002.htm/.

2.       WHO. Adolescence: The Critical Phase; the Challenges and the Potential. WHO Regional Office for South East Asia. New Delhi. 1997.

3.       Dhital R, Subedi G, Gurung YB and Hamal P. Alcohol and drug use in Nepal with Reference to Children. Child Workers in Nepal (CWIN), Research Report. 2001.

4.       WHO. Programming for Adolescent Health and Development: Report of a WHO/UNFPA/UNICEF Study Group on Programming for Adolescent Health. 1999.

5.       Dulay LV. Schools and Teenagers. International Drug Prevention Bulletin. 2(2), pp5, 10,12. July-September 2001. A Publication of NGO, Antinarcotics Cooperating Center Philippines.

6.       Richmond Fellowship Nepal. Crisis Counseling and Rehabilitation Center, Annual Report 2003, Kathmandu Nepal.

7.        Drug Abuse Medicine, ‘A service of U.S. National Library of National Institutes Of Health Medicine (NIH). [Internet] .Available from  Medline Plus:  http://www.nim.nih.gov.com.

8.       Casapalmera [Internet].The Effects of Drug Abuse on Teens. Available from:  www.casapalmera.com/articles/the-effects-of-drug-abuse-on-teens/

9.       Patel DR. Smoking and children. Indian journal of Pediatric 1999 April; 66(4):817-24.

10.     Gincy. A study to assess knowledge and attitude of adolescence towards alcoholism in a selected community in Udupi District. [Masters Degree in Nursing]. University of Manipal.

 

 

Received on 02.11.2016          Modified on 15.11.2016

Accepted on 21.12.2016          © A&V Publications all right reserved