Exploring the Trends & Challenges of Substance Abuse Among Ayer Tena Secondary School Students in Addis Ababa
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Date
2015-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study was conducted in April 2007 E.C in Ayer Tena Secondary School. The objective of
this study was to explore the prevalence of substance abuse, identify the reasons why students
abuse drugs, to see the highly abused drugs and the perceived effect of drug abuse among the
students. Respondents were randomly selected for the study. A total of 118 respondents (74 male
and 44 female) were selected to fill in a close ended questionnaire. From the total respondents,
only 114 (96.6%) completed the questionnaire properly and the non response rate was 4 (3.4%).
The analysis of results were based on the 114 respondents. The results were analyzed by using
descriptive statistics and inferenial statistics.Pilot study and Pretesting of the questionnaire was
conducted among 30 students that were not included in the actual study. Anonymous selfadministered
structured questionnaire initially prepared in English version and later translated
to Amharic version was conducted in order to obtain the required information from the
respondents. The finding in this study indicated the overall prevalence of substance abuse
among Ayer Tena secondary school students was 24.6%. The most commonly abused substances
as the finding shows, 5.90% smoke cannabis, 4.20% chew khat, and 0.80% drinks Alcohol, and
0.80% smoke cigarettes. Alongside, the study indicated, most of the students abuse more than
one substance at the same time and Khat and Cannabis were the highly abused substance by the
students. There was no statistically significant association between gender and substance use.
The finding shows male students exposed to the problem than that of the female students.A
statistically significant association was found in socio demographic variables such as family
drug use and age. The minimum age range of the students resides between 15 - 16 yrs of age
which constitutes 86.18% of the participants. The result discloses family drug use have an effect
on drug use of the students. Beside family influence, peer pressure has been found playing a
profound influence for drug using behavior. Drug use behavior is more common with age mates
than with family members. As the result demonstrates, the student’s major source of money to
purchase substances was their parents. The main consequence of drug use reported by the
students was encountering physical and emotional problems. This implies that drug use has
negatively contributed to student’s education and relationships. Based on the findings of the
study, suggestions were made and social work implications and interventions wereforwarded
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Social Work