Drug abuse management and its influence on learners’ psycho-social well-being among secondary schools’ students in Mbale city

Abstract

The study examined how managing drug usage affects the psycho-social well-being of secondary school pupils in Mbale City, Uganda. This study aimed to investigate the connection between drug abuse education and awareness, the availability of drug abuse prevention and intervention programs, the enforcement of drug abuse policies, and the psycho-social well-being of students in secondary schools in Mbale City. This study utilized a cross-sectional survey methodology, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative research methods with a sample size of 316 respondents (comprising 108 teachers, 201 students, 5 head teachers, 1 DIS, and 1 DEO) in Mbale city. A total of 301 responses were collected. The questionnaire's reliability and validity were determined using the Cronbach Alpha coefficient (α = 0.805) and the Content Validity Index (CVI) of 86.5%. The study included Simple Random Sampling, Purposive Sampling, and Census Inquiry methodologies. The data collection instruments used were questionnaires and interview guides. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 23, focusing on descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and Multiple Regression analysis. The qualitative data were analyzed using the verbatim approach, which involved capturing direct quotes from the data set that were relevant to the study objectives. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to assess the statistical significance of the association between drug abuse management and the psycho-social well-being of secondary school pupils in Mbale City. The study found a positive, statistically significant but moderate relationship between drug abuse awareness and education and learners' psycho-social well-being (r= 0.371** p>0.05), a statistically significant but moderate relationship between drug abuse prevention and intervention programs and learners' psycho-social well-being (r= 0.445** p> 0.05), and a statistically significant but moderate relationship between drug abuse policy enforcement and learners' psycho-social well-being (r=0.417** p > 0.05) in Mbale city. This study examines drug abuse education programs in secondary schools in Mbale city, assessing the effectiveness of policies and regulations in addressing drug abuse issues and providing insights into school-based drug abuse prevention programs. The report suggests that schools should prioritize training teachers in drug abuse prevention and education. Schools and educational authorities should allocate resources towards extensive training and professional development programs for teachers engaged in drug misuse prevention.