Commonly abused substances and available prevention measures among universities in Kampala

Abstract

Background: Substance use among youth is a worldwide public health problem that impacts negatively on the health sector as well as family and society in terms of morbidity, mortality, crime and social development. Various studies suggest that students entering university put themselves at risk through unhealthy behaviors. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the substance abuse prevention interventions and factors that affect their success or failure among university students in Kampala. Specifically, to identify commonly abused substance, which interventions are in place, and the success and failure factors of interventions and to suggest effective interventions for controlling substance abuse among university students? Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using structured questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions and key informant interviews. The study was carried out in Kampala involving 370 respondents from 4 universities, 2 public and 2 private, private universities were selected by simple random sampling. The data was analyzed using EPIINFO version 7.0 and STATA 12 Software to generate frequency tables. Atlas Ti software was used for qualitative data to generate themes. Results: Alcohol (85.9%) was the most commonly abused substance by students followed by tobacco (32.7%), shisha (27.3%) and marijuana (14.3%). Muslims were least likely to abuse any of the commonly abused substances. Studying in a public university was a common factor in predicting abuse of substances. Counseling was the only intervention used at all levels of prevention. At the primordial level other interventions included developing and enforcing laws against selling substances within university (36.5%). At primary level, interventions in place were education and awareness (55.1%) and limiting entry hours into halls/hostels of residence (33%) while giving personalized feedback about substance abuse patterns (17.3%) was at tertiary level. Universities, students’ associations and non-governmental organizations were the major bodies intervening. However, universities offer no treatment and rehabilitative services. Success factors identified include; presence of guidance and counseling department, university hospital, and health promotion clubs in the university. Lack of policy on substance abuse and increased access to substances in country were the major hindrances. Among effective interventions suggested was co-curricular activities, involvement of parents, awareness creation, collaboration with other stakeholders and improving guidance and counseling services Conclusions: Alcohol, tobacco, shisha and marijuana are the commonly abused substances among university students. Counseling is the major intervention in place to control substance abuse. Developing and enforcing laws, education and awareness, limiting entry hours in halls and hostels and giving personalized feedback on substance abuse patterns are also in place at different levels of prevention. The universities, students’ association and non-governmental organizations implement the above interventions. Presence of guidance and counseling department, university hospital/clinics and health promotion clubs were the success factors identified. However, increased access to substances in country and lack of policy are still the major setbacks. Interventions like co-curricular activities, involvement of parents, collaboration with stakeholders and improving guidance and counseling were recommended. Therefore, universities should provide both preventive and treatment interventions to students and should support government in developing and enforcement of policies and laws on substance abuse.