Substance Abuse and Social Well-Being of Youth: The Case of Yirgalem Town, Sidama National Regional State.
| dc.contributor.advisor | Commander Demelash Kassaye (PhD) | |
| dc.contributor.author | Aklilu Altamo | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-08-08T06:21:06Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-08-08T06:21:06Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024-05-01 | |
| dc.description.abstract | The objective of this study was to examine substance abuse and social well-being among the youth in Yirgalem Town. The research employed a cross sectional, descriptive design, and used both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study involved 339 youth involved in substance abuse and included key informant interviews with six participants. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The effects of substance abuse on the social well-being of youth were significant. The study found that 81.8% of respondents experienced discrimination or stigma due to substance abusing behavior they involved: A significant proportion (65.81%) had moderate relationships with their leaders or colleagues, while 72.6% reported poor relationships with the community. Low social trust was noted in 51.5% of participants, and 87.6% received low social support. Additionally, 88.5% experienced illnesses such as stomach ache, typhus, stress, and headaches in the past 30 days due to substance abuse, with 51.5% exhibiting poor behavior or mood and involved in crime act when using substances. The study also examined various aspects of substance abuse, including practice levels, reasons for use, and perceptions of its efficts. It found that alcohol (100%), khat (99.7%), and tobacco/cigarettes (90.6%) were the most commonly abused substances among the target youth, with a high prevalence of daily consumption. Key factors contributing to substance abuse initiation were peer pressure (57.5%), the desire for relaxation (77.8%), stimulation or alertness from substances like khat (73.7%), and stress relief(53.7%). These findings suggest significant implications for social work, particularly in the areas of education, policy, practice, andfurther research. Keywords: Substance, Substance abuse, Social well-being, Youth, Yirgalem. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/6240 | |
| dc.language.iso | en_US | |
| dc.publisher | Addis Ababa University | |
| dc.subject | Substance | |
| dc.subject | Substance abuse | |
| dc.subject | Social well-being | |
| dc.subject | Youth | |
| dc.subject | Yirgalem. | |
| dc.title | Substance Abuse and Social Well-Being of Youth: The Case of Yirgalem Town, Sidama National Regional State. | |
| dc.type | Thesis |