Drug And Substance Abuse Among Adolescents In Katanga Slum, Kampala District

ABSTRACT The study aimed at examining drug and substance abuse among adolescents in katanga slum, Kampala district, The main objective was to establish the determinants of drug and substances abuse among adolescents in Katanga slum, Kampala district. Specific objectives were; to asses individual factors that lead to drug and substance abuse among adolescents in Katanga slum, Kampala district. To establish socio-economic factors that lead to drug and substance abuse among adolescent in Katanga slum, Kampala district. To asses community factors that influence drug and substance abuse among adolescent in Katanga slum, Kampala district. Methodology: A cross~sectional study was carried out with researcher administered questionnaires as a method of data collection from 280 respondents and 10 key informants. Descriptive bivariate analysis was undertaken into SPSS and frequency tables, graphs, pie charts and p values were generated using Epi Data software. Results: from the findings, 46.8% was the prevalence of drugs and other substances abuse among adolescents. The following were found to have a statistical significance with drugs and substances abuse; age (pO.0I7), the single (p=O.OOI), received parental advice (p=O.006), how drugs are valued to them (P0.001), adolescents showing off in public (p=O.OO2), parental influence to abuse drugs (pO.OOI), easy accessibility (pO.Ol3), living in temporary homestead (pO.OOI), and law enforcement practiced in the area (p=O.O31). Conclusion and Recommendations: The study involved carrying out community health education, avoiding bad peer groups, parents guiding and being good example as far as drugs and other substances are concerned. The M~nistry of Health collaborating with other stakeholders to introduce strategic policies on drug and other substances abuse preclusion especially in slums. Further research should be done on how to bridge the gap between adolescents abusing drugs and other substances and the stakeholders like government and Nongovernmental organizations to join hands in the abuse fight campaign.