Substance Abuse and Socio-Demographic Factors Associated With Academic Performace in Universal Secondary (Use) in Industrial Division of Mbale City
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Date
2024
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Uganda Christian University
Abstract
Background: Many students today are under substance abuse resulting in failure to enroll in schools, perform poorly in academics and as a consequence, drop out of school. Objective: the major objective of this study was to assess substance abuse and academic performance in USE schools in the Industrial Division of Mbale City. Specifically, the study assessed substance abuse and academic performance as well as socio economic factors and academic performance in USE in Industrial Division of Mbale City.It also established socio-demographic factors and academic performance in the Industrial Division of Mbale City. Method: The study used a cross-sectional study with the help of both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data was collected from 80 respondents in the Industrial Division using a semi-structured questionnaire and interview guide. A purposive sampling technique was used to select research participants and data analysis was done using tables Results: Study findings show that substance abuse leads to school dropout as supported by 49% of study participants. Students who abuse drugs perform poorly academically (50%) and usually miss classes (56%) leading to low academic performance. Additionally, the level of family income determines the incidence of substance abuse where students from high-income families are substance abusers (46%) and those students with parents without education also abuse drugs (28%). Other socio-economic factors of substance abuse include peer pressure (31%) and gender (55%). There are socio-demographic factors of substance abuse that significantly influence academic performance such as place of residence (43%) and age (55%).
Conclusions: Students who experience substance abuse perform poorly and drop out of school. Those from affluent families in urban settings can experience substance abuse irrespective of age and peer influence.
Recommendations: The government through various law enforcement agencies should control drug and substance use including narcotics in schools. Schools in partnership with Ministry of Education and parents should also put in place policies and regulations help to control substance abuse among students and strive to undertake and promote effective teaching-learning processes
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AMERICA/EUROPE INTERNATIONAL HEROIN SCENE, THE TRANSNATIONAL DRUG CHALLENGE, 2012. PAPER SUBMITTED BY ICOP/INTERPOL TO THE INTERNATIONAL HEROIN CONFERENCE, WASHINGTON