A Study to Assess the Knowledge regarding Substance Abuse in Adolescents among teachers in selected PU Colleges at Bangalore with a view to develop a Video

Abstract

Introduction: Substance abuse is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences Substance abuse is the use of psychoactive substance that poses significant hazards to health and interferes with social, occupational, psychological or physical functioning1. The teenage years are a critical window of vulnerability to substance uses disorder; because the brain is still developing and malleable, adolescents are high risk group to avoid the temptations of experimenting with drugs3. A survey shows that of all alcohol 21%, cannabis 3%, and opium 0.1% users are below the age of 18years. Overall 0.4% and 4.6% of total treatment seekers in various states were children5. According to a survey conducted by the Karnataka State Temperance Board, Bangalore, in 2012, about 30% of school and college students in Bangalore are drug addicts. WHO estimates that by 2020, based on the current trends, worldwide can expect 10 million deaths per year1. Materials and methods: The research design selected for this study was descriptive design. The setting selected was PU Colleges in Bangalore. 40 PU College teachers were selected for the study using simple random sampling technique. A demographic proforma to collect the data and structured knowledge questionnaire to assess the knowledge was used. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. Result: The current study reveals that out of 40 subjects, 75% of teacher’s had average knowledge and 17.5% good knowledge; subjects had knowledge regarding prevention and management 70%, and meaning/concept 65%. The study revealed statistically that there is no significant association between the knowledge and demographic variables of age, sex, marital status, qualification, designation and there is significant association with source of knowledge. Conclusion: The study findings suggested that the knowledge of teachers regarding substance abuse in adolescents is average. Has an outcome substance abuse video was developed as an educating the teachers and adolescents.