| dc.description.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. | en_US |
