International Journal of School and Cognitive Psychology
Open Access

Abstract

Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Substance Abuse among Fourth Year Nursing Student at a University, Khomas Region, Namibia

Joseph Galukeni Kadhila* and Petrus Fransina Tulong

Introduction: Substance abuse is a pervasive problem across the world. The present study aimed to assess knowledge and attitudes regarding substance abuse among nursing student at the University of Namibia main campus. Substance abuse is a major public health problem globally and its prevalence is increasing rapidly amongst university students in many African countries. The target populations were fourth year nursing students between the age of 20 and 35. A quantitative method approach was employed in this study.

Background: Drug and substance abuse is one of the most vexing and pervasive problems that most universities are grappling with in as far as administration is concerned. It is a systematic review of literature describing the knowledge of substance abuse by university students and determines their attitude towards substance abuse. It compares university students in different countries.

Aims: The present study aimed to assess knowledge and determined attitudes regarding substance abuse among nursing student at the University of Namibia main campus.

Method: A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study was carried among 45, 4th year nursing degree students using simple random sampling. A questionnaire was used to collect the data. The researcher personally collected the data. Data was analysed using google docs. Ethical principles were observed during the study.

Results: Finding show that students have adequate knowledge and appropriate attitudes towards substance abuse.

Conclusion: The students had good knowledge of substance abuse yet engaged in substance abuse. The study students frequently used substances like alcohol, cocaine, codeine, cigarette and tramadol. Effective counselling programs are recommended specifically in Universities and families to help tackle this problem.

Published Date: 2023-03-31; Received Date: 2023-03-01